A spokesman for Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was "astonished" by Pompeo's statement. And then, in 1934, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk— the founder of modern Turkey, who aspired to build a … The Turkish leader used a televised speech Friday to urge people to respect the decision. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Photo source: UN News/Jing Zhang An inspection into the change of status of the World Heritage Site and former Orthodox church of Hagia Sophia into a mosque last summer has still not been finalized, said UNESCO this week. Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum in 1935, as part of Ataturk’s campaign to secularize Turkey and make it a ‘modern European’ state. Its status as a museum reflects the universal nature of its heritage, and makes it a powerful symbol for dialogue," said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Kalin said Turkey would preserve the Christian icons in the building. When the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was built in the 6th century, it was the largest building in the world, an engineering marvel. Ataturk’s action was exactly the sort of forcible suppression of distinct civilizational traditions in the name of abstract foreign standards … Updated 1754 GMT (0154 HKT) July 26, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is, © 1998 – 2020 International Publications Ltd. -, change of status of the World Heritage Site. After the … But the way Hagia Sophia's will be used falls under Turkey's sovereign rights. It should be noted that Turkey violated international laws in converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque annulling late Turkish Leader Kemal Ataturk’s 1930 decision to convert the former hub of Christianity into a museum. Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO world heritage site in Istanbul. Turkey’s highest court convenes to decide status of the Hagia Sophia, but experts say a legal ruling is only symbolic. Some want it to be a mosque again and battle over its future is taking place in court. Hagia Sophia was built as a Christian cathedral nearly 1,500 years ago and turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of 1453. 6, Psylla str. Turkey has institutions. Hagia Sophia, or "Divine Wisdom" in Greek, was completed in 537 by Byzantine emperor Justinian. UNESCO goes on to note that “the inspection, which covers several components of the property Historic Areas of Constantinople, in particular Hagia Sophia and Chora, is still ongoing… and no conclusions can be drawn at this time”. In response to a question on the issue, Greek Culture Minister. "Naturally, everyone is free to express their own opinion. Signup to receive our daily travel-tourism industry newsletter. Crowds gathered in Istanbul as the historic Hagia Sophia site opened for Friday prayers for the first time since Turkish authorities ruled it could be converted into a mosque. The world-famous Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul - originally founded as a cathedral - has been turned back into a mosque. Istanbul's historic Hagia Sophia has reopened for Friday prayers for the first time since a decision was made to turn it back into a mosque after more than 80 years as a museum. "Opening up Hagia Sophia to worship doesn't keep local or foreign tourists from visiting the site," Kalin said. Hagia Sophia's beloved feline of 16 years dies after short illness Middle East Eye 12:46 8-Nov-20 Farewell to Gli, beloved cat of Hagia Sophia Mosque Hurriyet Daily News 07:33 8-Nov-20 Farewell Gli, famed feline of Hagia Sophia mosque Malay Mail 04:37 8-Nov-20 "Since its status as a museum is changed, we are canceling the entrance fees," he said. This position has remained constant since then,” said UNESCO Director-general Audrey Azoulay in response to Turkish Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy’s remarks on the issue last week. The decision triggered an global outcry but actions were not taken. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Photo source: UN News/Jing Zhang. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has asked for permission from Turkey to examine possible alterations to Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites recently converted to mosques by the Turkish government, the Duvar news website reported on Wednesday. The Unesco-listed Hagia Sophia (Divine Wisdom), known in Turkish as Ayasofya, was completed in AD537 by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. The Hagia Sophia opens for Muslim prayer on 24 July The World Council of Churches has called on Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reverse his decision to … Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined thousands of worshippers at Hagia Sophia on Friday for the first prayers there since he declared the monument a mosque once again. Turkey’s Hagia Sophia and the battle to reconvert it to a mosque. "It is important to avoid any implementing measure, without prior discussion with UNESCO, that would affect physical access to the site, the structure of the buildings, the site's moveable property, or the site's management," said Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO's assistant director-general for culture. IZMIR, Turkey — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on Friday issued a decree ordering the Hagia Sophia, a majestic 65,000-square-foot … The colossal Hagia Sophia was built 1,500 years ago as an Orthodox Christian cathedral and was converted into a mosque after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, now Istanbul, in 1453. "Like all our mosques, its doors will be open to everyone -- Muslim or non- Muslim. UNESCO member states are obligated to ensure that any modifications to sites on the World Heritage List do not affect their outstanding value, according to the organization. Reacting to the news of the conversion in early July, the Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople said Hagia Sophia belonged not only to those who own it at the moment but to all humanity. Hagia Sophia came under Catholic control for a few decades in the 13th century during the Crusades before the Byzantine emperor took Constantinople back. ", The Hagia Sophia was one of the Roman Empire's first. Turkish-Greek relations are also tense due to geopolitical tensions in the, He said the site's museum status had enabled people from all over the world to see a "magnificent achievement.". Erdogan has positioned himself as a friend of conservative Islamists in Turkey, moving the country further from those secularist roots. Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that was a Byzantine cathedral before being converted into a mosque which is currently a … People visit Hagia Sophia museum on June 26, 2020 in Istanbul. into a mosque last summer has still not been finalized, said UNESCO this week. "The United States views a change in the status of the Hagia Sophia as diminishing the legacy of this remarkable building and its unsurpassed ability -- so rare in the modern world -- to serve humanity as a much-needed bridge between those of differing faith traditions and cultures.". "This extraordinary site is a testament to religious expression and to artistic and technical genius, reflected in its rich and complex 1,500-year history," he said. Call center: +30 210 324 7511. Pig guts were thrown, Video of 4 police officers beating Black man emerges, The ancient buildings that have shape-shifted across centuries. Hagia Sophia was built in the sixth century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and was a Christian place of worship for nearly 1,000 years before what was then known as Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks after a bloody siege in 1453. This position has remained constant since then,” said, osted on UNESCO’s website, the statement goes on to note that “UNESCO immediately initiated a review process and sent a mission to the property from 5 to 9 October 2020, led by an eminent cultural heritage expert, to look in detail at each of the potential implications of this change in status, and their impact on the outstanding universal value of the property.”. "So a loss from the world's heritage is not in question," he added. The Hagia Sophia has huge significance as a religious and as a political symbol A Turkish court has delayed a decision on whether the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul can be converted into a mosque. "Every kind of power disposition regarding Hagia Sophia is also an issue concerning our internal affairs within Turkey's sovereignty rights. An inspection into the change of status of the World Heritage Site and former Orthodox church of Hagia Sophia into a mosque last summer has still not been finalized, said UNESCO this week. A Muezzin is one appointed to lead and recite the Islamic call to prayer, and Osman Aslan who was assigned to Hagia Sophia died of a heart attack, Turkish media reported. İsmail Kandemir, head of the Association for the Service of the Historical Foundations and the Environment, said after the hearing that "using Hagia Sophia as a museum hurts conscience of people," according to Turkish news agency Anadolu. The 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia, now Turkey's most popular tourist attraction, has been stripped of its museum status by Turkey's highest court. We deem every move that goes beyond voicing an opinion a violation of our sovereignty," Erdogan said. As the world's common heritage, Hagia Sophia with its new status will keep on embracing everyone in a more sincere way.". Erdogan has been a major proponent of the move. The association filed a lawsuit to the Council of State in 2005 calling for the site to return to being a mosque, but it was rejected in 2008, according to Anadolu. (CNN) Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the conversion of the city's historic Hagia Sophia back into a mosque after a court annulled a 1934 presidential decree that made it … amp video_youtube NBC News Jul 4 "Turkey has been delicately cherishing the historical, cultural and spiritual value of Hagia Sophia since its conquest," he said. Posted on UNESCO’s website, the statement goes on to note that “UNESCO immediately initiated a review process and sent a mission to the property from 5 to 9 October 2020, led by an eminent cultural heritage expert, to look in detail at each of the potential implications of this change in status, and their impact on the outstanding universal value of the property.”. The Hagia Sophia in Turkey has been a museum for decades. A integral part of Greek and Christian heritage and history, the Hagia Sophia, which means “Church of Divine Wisdom” in Greek, is considered one of the world’s greatest Byzantine monuments and one of Turkey’s leading tourist attractions. Hagia Sophia was the most popular museum in Turkey last year, drawing more than 3.7 million visitors. In response to a question on the issue, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said UNESCO’s immediate reaction and three statements demonstrate the organization’s real concern with regard to Hagia Sophia, adding that Greece was awaiting the conclusion of UNESCO’s official report. Despite UNESCO advising against Turkey’s decision to convert the historic site into a mosque last summer, the country’s culture minister continues to claim that there has been no such reaction. '", Some of Istanbul's mosques may carry a political message, The history of India's turbulent relationship with its police, Aerial videos show bushfire burn through world's largest sand island, How this family is coping with lockdown: 'We'd like some normality', Pandemic surge affecting Christmas holiday plans across Europe, China document leak shows flawed pandemic response, 'Everyday was terrible': 64-year-old Hong Kong protester on detainment, Saudi judge refers activist's case to terror court, Cambodia welcomes 'the world's loneliest elephant', The Covid-19 pandemic is driving a spike in suicides in Japan, Iran vows revenge after top nuclear scientist killed, Diego Maradona: World reacts to the passing of a football legend, Australian trade minister: China tariffs a 'devastating blow' to wine industry, A fight broke out between lawmakers. Greece's culture minister decried the move earlier on Friday, calling it "an open provocation to the entire civilized world. Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that was a Byzantine cathedral before being converted into a mosque and is currently a museum, Istanbul, Turkey, June 28, 2020. The Hagia Sophia was once a cathedral, and then it was a mosque. Alexis Gritchenko: A refugee artist in a city under occupation Previously set to be held between February and May this year, the Alexis Gritchenko exhibition, featuring works between 1919 and 1921, was delayed due to the coronavirus. Shortly after Turkey's top administrative court released its long-anticipated decision, Erdogan issued a presidential decree transferring the management of the site from the Ministry of Culture to the Presidency of Religious Affairs, paving the way for its conversion. Guest posts are welcome. HAGIA SOPHIA HOSTS FIRST PRAYER SINCE REOPENING, 86 YEARS AFTER CONVERTING TO A MUSEUM Several Istanbul residents rushed to the building Friday, … Meanwhile, important fresh evidence of Hagia Sophia’s glorious past and heritage have emerged. "They say 'don't convert Aya Sofya into a mosque,'" he said in an interview with state broadcaster TRT on July 5. Greek Travel Pages, into a mosque annulling late Turkish Leader Kemal Ataturk’s 1930 decision to convert the former hub of Christianity into a museum. “UNESCO reacted to the change of Hagia Sophia’s status as early as July 2020 and expressed its concern in this regard. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. UNESCO Probe into Hagia Sophia Change of Status Ongoing, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Lonely Planet Names Greece ‘Best Sustainable Food Destination’ for 2021, Europe’s Aviation Bodies Commit to Reach Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050. Gli, famous cat of Hagia Sophia, gets new company from capital Ankara Interior Ministry urges against holding large events for Victory Day due to virus Turkey slams Greece over statement on conversion of Kariye Museum into mosque Turkey converts Kariye Museum into mosque "We will be treating every opinion voiced on the international stage with respect. UNESCO Assistant Director-General Ernesto Ottone has instructed … "On this occasion, we remind once again a reality that we have to repeat constantly. Pope Francis visits Hagia Sophia on November 29 in Istanbul. "Are you ruling Turkey or us? (CNN)Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the conversion of the city's historic Hagia Sophia back into a mosque after a court annulled a 1934 presidential decree that made it a museum. Inspection results are set to be submitted to the World Heritage Committee at its next session scheduled for June/July 2021. Hami Aksoy said that Turkey guaranteed "freedom of religion and belief" for its citizens and protected "all cultural properties that we own without any distinction, including Hagia Sophia, within the framework of the tradition of tolerance stemming from our culture and history.". Read the editorial guidelines here. "Hagia Sophia is an architectural masterpiece and a unique testimony to interactions between Europe and Asia over the centuries. News has broken that the Muezzin of Hagia Sophia suddenly died on Sunday. Hagia Sophia Showing 29 results related to "hagia sophia". If that step [is] to be taken It is obvious who has authority to do that. Erdogan has expressed annoyance at international opposition to the plan, led by neighbor Greece. Like a vaulted dome, the status of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia — the Byzantine cathedral turned Ottoman mosque turned preeminent global tourist destination — … The decision triggered an global outcry but actions were not taken. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the Hagia Sophia museum, one of Istanbul's most famous landmarks, to be converted into a mosque. The Hagia Sophia is the property of Turkey, like all our cultural assets located on our land. ", Many analysts say Erdogan's move could be intended to consolidate his voters as the country deals with a shrinking economy and rising unemployment. UNESCO said it "deeply regrets" Turkey's decision and that the choice was made without the organization receiving prior notification. … This site uses cookies to improve user experience. News reports have said the conversion could occur in … Athens GR 10557 Once an emblem of Christian-Muslim co-existence, Hagia Sophia has now become the symbol of Turkey’s Islamist politics. An Eastern Orthodox patriarchal cathedral … It filed another lawsuit in 2016 saying freedom of religion had been violated but the Supreme Court rejected the case in 2018, Anadolu reported. 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