Turkey: The "liberation" of Hagia Sophia will help to "liberate" Al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Photo: Planet of Hotels
The Chairman of the Turkish National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, stated that the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque should serve as a precursor to the liberation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, according to Ortodox Times.
He emphasized that this is about "ensuring and guiding a new, fair global system".
According to Kurtulmuş, this objective is encapsulated in a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: “Just as we reopened Hagia Sophia after years of hope, prayer, and longing, the reopening of Hagia Sophia, the liberation of Hagia Sophia, will pave the way for the liberation of Al Aqsa. It will serve as a harbinger of the freedom of the Al Aqsa Mosque.”
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, which Muslims consider the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina, is located on a hill in the Old City of Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and to Muslims worldwide as al-Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary.
As reported by the UOJ, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the decision to convert the Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque is a symbol of the Turkish era.
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.
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.
Patriarch Bartholomew congratulates Patriarch Shio on his election
In his message of congratulations, Patriarch Bartholomew called for joint witness before the world within the framework of “pan-Orthodox unity.”
Georgian priest in Germany: Patriarch Shio will preserve Ilia II’s legacy
Priest Elias Schlepegrell, who was present at the election in Tbilisi, said there is a clear disposition toward preserving Ilia II’s line and the unity of the Georgian Church.