EU: Turkey's decision to change Hagia Sophia's status is regrettable
ЕС сожалеет о решении Турции превратить Святую Софию в мечеть. Фото: TASS/EPA
The European Union considers the decision of the Turkish authorities to turn the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul from a museum into a mosque "regrettable". This was said in a statement issued on Friday, July 10, 2020, by the EU High Representative Josep Borell, reports TASS.
“Hagia Sophia has a strong symbolic, historical and universal value. Turkey has developed a well-established tradition of cultural conservation as well as a recognised tradition of intellectual and cultural openness. The ruling by the Turkish Council of State to overturn one of modern Turkey's landmark decisions and President Erdoğan‘s decision to place the monument under the management of the Religious Affairs Presidency is regrettable,” the agency cites the statement.
Josep Borell also highlighted that “as a founding member of the Alliance of Civilisations, Turkey has committed to the promotion of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and to fostering of tolerance and co-existence”. (Turkey is one of the founders of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, which aims to strengthen international action against extremism through the establishment of inter-ethnic, intercultural and interfaith dialogue and interaction – Ed.).
As reported, July 10, 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree changing the status of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral and said that already on July 24 Sophia will open as a mosque for Islamic divine services.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniiel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.