Recep Tayyip Erdogan approves converting iconic Hagia Sophia museum into mosque after apex court order

After the order of the apex court of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan the president of Turkey yesterday approved the conversion of Hagia Sophia building to a mosque.

The 1,500 years old building was converted into a mosque in 1453 and became a museum in 1934.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the decision after Turkey’s apex court annulled the site’s museum status.

In a speech, Mr Erdogan announced that all entrance fees for the facility would be removed and that there would be a grand reopening of the facility to welcome both worshippers and tourists in two weeks.

“We will be allowing all to enter Hagia Sophia and the doors will be open to everyone, local and international, Muslim and non-Muslim,” he said. “When they visit they will have a chance to see that the rumours are not true and that we value what we have inherited from our ancestors.”

The Unesco world heritage site began life as a cathedral, before being transformed into a mosque in the 15th century and later designated a museum under Turkey’s secularist founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The Turkish President from his official media released the news which was vehemently lauded by the entire Turkish nation, the Pakistanis and the Muslims of the world.

Ayasofya’nın dirilişi… pic.twitter.com/V3gy2y8Wki

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) July 10, 2020