Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that after the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, the country intends to preserve it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He emphasized that since the opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque, nothing has been destroyed within its walls. According to the minister, Turkey intends to preserve the heritage left by the ancestors.

Cavusoglu added that the Turkish authorities respect the opinions of people who want "to keep this object as a world heritage."

“We categorically reject the comments that violate the sovereign right of Turkey. Disputes here are inappropriate. We respect the opinions of those who want this property to be preserved as a world heritage. But when it was opened like a mosque many years ago, nothing in it was destroyed. We must preserve the heritage that our ancestors left us. Therefore, some statements from UNESCO surprised us, ”RIA Novosti quoted Cavusoglu as saying.

This statement was made shortly after the Turkish State Council annulled the 1934 decision to turn the cathedral into a museum. Then the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the transfer of Hagia Sophia to the Office of Religious Affairs. The head of state allowed Muslim services to be held in the cathedral and announced that the first service would take place on July 24. Entrance to Hagia Sophia, as well as to all other mosques of the country, will be free. In this case, the complete transformation of the cathedral into a mosque, according to the politician, will take about six months.

Erdogan emphasized that the doors of the mosque will always be open "for local residents and foreigners, Muslims and representatives of other religions," since it is the heritage of all mankind.

Hagia Sophia scandal

The decision of the Turkish authorities to change the status of Hagia Sophia caused a reaction from many foreign politicians and religious figures, as well as organizations, including the Russian Orthodox Church and UNESCO.

So, Patriarch Kirill expressed concern about the decision of politicians to review the museum status of the Hagia Sophia. He emphasized that Orthodox people in Russia consider the site a Christian shrine.

Chairman of the synodal department for relations between the church and society and the media of the Moscow Patriarchate Vladimir Legoyda noted that “this decision, alas, is not aimed at reconciling the existing contradictions, but, on the contrary, can lead to even greater divisions”.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk (Alfeev) spoke more sharply, calling this step "a slap in the face of all Christianity worldwide." He stated that in this case "the political situation prevails over respect for other religious traditions."

During a telephone conversation on July 13, Vladimir Putin drew Erdogan's attention to a significant public outcry that prompted a decision in Russia to change the status of the Hagia Sophia.

“The President of Turkey gave relevant explanations, noting that access to this unique monument of world civilization will be guaranteed for all comers, including foreign citizens, and Christian shrines will be preserved,” the Kremlin’s website said in a statement.

The Pope also expressed dissatisfaction with the situation with Hagia Sophia. He emphasized that he was “very saddened” by the intention of the Turkish authorities to turn the cathedral into a mosque.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulé said that the decision to change the status of Hagia Sophia caused her regret, because it was adopted "without prior dialogue." According to her, for consideration of such issues, the participation of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee may be necessary.

The most acute reaction in Greece. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias, the decision of Turkey on the status of the cathedral is a global problem, as it demonstrates the country's disrespect for the world community.

The Greek government spokesman Stelios Patsas said Erdogan made a “historical mistake” by such actions and noted that Athens could impose sanctions on Ankara.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in turn, recalled that Hagia Sophia is in the jurisdiction of Turkey, and all objections related to the decision of the country's judicial authorities will be considered as a violation of its sovereignty.

Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537 years and existed as an Orthodox cathedral for more than 11 centuries. In 1453, after Constantinople was captured by the Ottomans, the temple became a mosque. In 1934, Hagia Sophia received the status of a museum. In 1985, the cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.