‘Disappointed’ US calls for equal access for all visitors
The US on Friday called for equal access for all visitors to the Byzantine-era monument the Hagia Sophia after Turkey announced its intention to turn the building back into a mosque.
“We are disappointed by the decision by the government of Turkey to change the status of the Hagia Sophia,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.
“We understand the Turkish government remains committed to maintaining access to the Hagia Sophia for all visitors, and look forward to hearing its plans for continued stewardship of the Hagia Sophia to ensure it remains accessible without impediment for all.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has chipped away at the country’s secular traditions, announced that Friday prayers would take place on July 24 in the Unesco World Heritage Site.
A magnet for tourists, the Hagia Sophia was constructed as a cathedral during the Christian Byzantine Empire.
It was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
Modern Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk preserved the church-turnedmosque as a museum.
Mr Erdogan went ahead with the status change despite an appeal to the Nato ally by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Mr Pompeo is an evangelical Christian who often speaks about religious freedom around the world.
Last week, Mr Pompeo called the Hagia Sophia’s museum status an example of Turkey’s “commitment to respect the faith traditions and diverse history” of the country.
He said a change risked “diminishing the legacy of this remarkable building”.
Democratic US presidential candidate Joe Biden also said
We understand the government remains committed to maintaining access to the Hagia Sophia for all visitors MORGAN ORTAGUS US Department of State
on Friday that Turkey’s decision was “deeply regrettable”.
Mr Biden called on Mr Erdogan to reverse his decision and “instead keep this treasured place in its current status as a museum, ensuring equal access for all”.