Erdogan: We have right to convert Hagia Sophia into mosque

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Фото: rbc.ru

Turkish President Recep Erdogan said that the Turkish authorities have the right to return the status of a mosque to Hagia Sophia, according to Orthodox Times.

According to him, “When Mohammed entered the city (of Constantinople – Ed.), he was welcomed as a saviour. It was as if they were waiting for him. Hagia Sophia, instead of being demolished due to religious hatred, became more beautiful and was offered to Muslims after the Fall. It was a right granted to them (Muslims – Ed.),” noted the Turkish leader.

Erdogan reiterated that Muslims "did not touch any religious monuments, which remained intact in order to respond to our needs."

At the same time, the Turkish president noted that Islamic religious monuments and symbols disappeared in places "where we were forced to leave a century ago."

He recalled that “there is no mosque in Athens. Everything was demolished. But we didn’t do so. The greatness of our ancestors reigns supreme in our actions.”

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Muslims celebrated the anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople in the temple of Hagia Sophia.

Read also

OCA Synod Releases Proclamation on 100th Anniversary of Repose of St. Tikhon of Moscow

Alexandria, VA - The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) released a Proclamation concerning the 100th Anniversary of the Repose of the Hiero-Confessor Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow

Brotherhood of Holy Cross Requests Prayers for Archimandrite Seraphim

Wayne, WV—The message was posted Thursday afternoon on the Monastery's website.