EU calls Hagia Sophia's change in status to mosque a 'regrettable' decision

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia a mosque on July 10, European Union expressed concern about changing status of UNESCO World Heritage site and reportedly called decision ‘regrettable’.

Turkey’s top court revoked 80-year-old museum’s status and paved a way for it to be converted back to a mosque. While Erdogan brushed aside international warnings against changing  status of monument, countries including US, Russia, and Greece criticised recent top ruling. 

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reportedly said that ruling by Turkish Council of State to overturn one of modern Turkey’s landmark decision and President’s decision to place monument under management of religious Affairs Presidency is ‘regrettable’.

On or hand, Greece’s culture ministry described court decision as an ‘open provocation’ to civilised world. According to an international media outlet, UNESCO also said that it ‘regretted’ that it was not notified ahe of time. 

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World leers criticise Erdogan's move 

Turkish President has sought to shift Islam into mainstream of Turkish politics in his 17 years at helm. While UNESCO site was a focal point of both Christian Byzantine and Muslim Ottoman empires, critics believe that Erdogan’s move of turning monument into a mosque as discriminatory and regressive. In recent years, Erdogan has also been criticised for brushing aside global concerns against restoration of Hagia Sophia's mosque status.

Turkish Council of State, country's top ministrative court, in it's ruling noted that Hagia Sophia's settlement deed foregrounded it as a mosque and refore, it's status as a museum was deemed illegal. Soon after announcement, Russian Orthodox Church reportedly expressed concerns over decision stating that it could le to even greater divisions. 

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proposal has been heavily criticised by religious and political figures alike. From US Secretary of State of Mike Pompeo to Turkey's orthodox Christian groups, leers around globe have urged president Erdogan to consider keeping building a museum.

Meanwhile, experts believe Turkish president heed this cause purely to strengn his position in party and project himself as a stronger leer for 2023 elections. Hagia Sophia could present as perfect distraction and also mean to revive hard-hit economy amid COVID-19 pandemic. 

(Image: @ApostateRidvan/Twitter) 

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