AKEL on Erdogan’s decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 11th July 2020, Nicosia
The decision of Turkish President Erdogan to turn the Hagia Sophia into a mosque constitutes a flagrant provocation against its historical-religious character. Hagia Sophia has a historical and spiritual symbolism for the Christian religion and at the same time represents an ecumenical symbol and is a unique world heritage monument.
Erdogan’s action disregards universal values and Turkey’s international obligations. It undermines interfaith dialogue and fuels tension in our region. It is another link in Turkey’s strategy of escalating aggression against the peoples of the region.
AKEL supports all the efforts to highlight the issue on a global scale aimed at annulling the decision. AKEL MEP Niyazi Kizilyurek has already tabled a question to the European Commission since last month, calling on the EU to take action to thwart Erdogan’s plans for Hagia Sophia and preserve its character.
