Saint Sophia, Erdogan spokesman: religious symbols safeguarded

2020-07-12T16:56:50.311Z

"All religious symbols within Hagia Sophia" will not be touched "and will be open to" visitors of all religions and creeds. "Said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin." It is a decision which has the support of the whole country, there is nothing to fear, no mosaic will be obscured or destroyed. Turkey - says Kalin - is a symbol of religious tolerance with over 400 churches and synagogues open, who says that the mosaics will be darkened ". Kalin added that what Europe accuses Turkey of and the fears that are externalized derive from "prejudices and stereotypes".