Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Photo: tccb.gov.tr
The administration of the Turkish leader published pictures of that visit. Inside the Cathedral are the preparatory work
Photo: tccb.gov.tr
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday visited the Hagia Sophia, to control the process of turning it into a mosque, reports “Interfax” with reference to Turkish media.
The administration of the Turkish leader published pictures of that visit. Inside the Cathedral are the preparatory work for the Turkish media reported that it is planned for a time of worship to hide the symbols of the Christian faith.
The first Muslim worship in the mosque Hagia Sophia is expected to be held on July 24. It will be attended by about 500 believers. Whether among them the President of Turkey, not yet reported.
In July, recall, the judiciary Turkey has canceled the decision taken in 1934, according to which St. Sophia was given the status of a Museum. Immediately after that, Erdogan announced that the Cathedral will be turned into a mosque.
The Museum status of Hagia Sophia was received in 1934 by the decision of the first President of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Since 1985, the Cathedral is included in world heritage list of UNESCO. Erdogan then said he would not take into account the views of other countries on the issue of status change Hagia Sophia. According to him, Turkey has adopted a decision on the status of the Cathedral, based on the desire and the will of the people.