Amid opposition from US, EU, UN, Turkey converts church into mosque
Recep Erdogan, the Turkish President, has issued a decree to reconvert a 6th century church-turned-museum in Istanbul into a mosque.
The church is not far from the famous Hagia Sophia that was opened to Muslim prayers in July.
In the presidential decree, which has been published this Friday on the official gazette, orders the Chora Museum to be opened for Islamic prayers.
Just like Hagia Sophia, the museum will be handed over to Turkey’s religious authority Diyanet.
The Dpa reports that the building, also known as the Church of the Holy Saviour, was turned into an Ottoman Mosque in the 16th century.
In November 2019, Turkey’s top administrative court annulled the 1945 decision, paving the way for its conversion into a mosque.
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Aready the world has reacted with the United States, European Union, Russia, UNESCO and church leaders opposed the change in status of Hagia Sophia.
They wanted it to remain a cultural landmark for both Christians and Muslims.
Erdogan in his response dismissed their opposition, calling it interference in Turkey’s sovereignty rights.
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