The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque by Turkish President Erdogan has sparked international criticism and controversy.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been criticized by the Greek Orthodox Church, UNESCO, and other international organizations.

Erdogan's conversion of Hagia Sophia is seen as a move to appeal to conservatives and distract from economic issues.

Erdogan's government has been accused of promoting a more Islamic agenda, exemplified by the Hagia Sophia conversion.

The international community is concerned about the conversion's implications for Turkey's secular identity.

The EU has criticized Turkey's democratic record, human rights, and erosion of secularism.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia has sparked concerns about Turkey's secular identity and its Western relations.

The Turkish government considers Hagia Sophia's conversion an internal matter, despite international concerns about its impact on Turkey's secular identity and relations.

UNESCO has advised on Hagia Sophia's restoration and included it on its heritage list.

The Turkish government has incorporated a protected ecosystem in Hagia Sophia and regulated visitor density.

Hagia Sophia information is available in 16 languages, with free admission for Turkish citizens and a ticket fee for foreign tourists.

President Erdogan has promised that Hagia Sophia will remain accessible to all under the Turkish Directorate of Religion's care.

The Hagia Sophia controversy has sparked Western criticism, with many seeing the reconversion as a political move by Erdogan.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque is a point of contention between Turkey and the West, with the US opposing it.

UNESCO, the US, Greece, and Russia have criticized Turkey's decision to convert Hagia Sophia.

The Turkish government's decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been criticized by Greece, the US, Russia, UNESCO, and Pope Francis.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has sparked concerns about Turkey's secular identity and its international relations.

The Hagia Sophia controversy has highlighted Turkey's struggle between secular and Islamic identities and its implications for international relations.

The Hagia Sophia controversy has strained Turkey's relations with the EU and other countries, jeopardizing its EU membership bid.

The EU has proposed updating its 1995 customs union agreement with Turkey to aid its economic development.

The Hagia Sophia controversy may harm Turkey's economy by straining its relations with Western countries.

Hagia Sophia restricted visitor access starting January 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The site has separate entrances for worshippers and tourists.

Tour guides are not allowed inside, with earphones used for guided tours instead.

Hagia Sophia had 13.6 million visitors in 2022, with a notable increase from Indonesia in 2023.

Entrance fees will fund cultural asset preservation.

Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque in 2020, has received 21 million visitors since then.

The site's preservation is a concern due to crowd humidity causing fragments to fall from the dome.

Restoration work is underway at Hagia Sophia to prevent earthquake collapse and preserve its cultural heritage.

UNESCO recommends a visitor management plan to preserve the site.

Turkey will undertake long-term maintenance to preserve the site.

The Hagia Sophia decision has drawn criticism from Greece and the US.

The Hagia Sophia controversy may impact Turkey's relations with the European Union.

The decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque may strain Turkey's relations with Western countries.

Erdogan's leadership style may strain Turkey's relations with the EU and other Western countries.

The Hagia Sophia controversy may impact Turkey's economy due to its status as a major tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque may impact Turkey's relations with NATO, the US, and Europe.

Turkey's expulsion of Western ambassadors may spark its worst crisis in nearly 20 years with the EU and other Western nations.

The Turkish lira has fallen to a record low against the US dollar due to political tensions and high inflation.

Turkey's economic troubles may impact stability, requiring US and European investment for recovery.

The EU has warned Turkey of economic consequences for its Russia ties.

Turkey's EU accession talks are stalled due to rule of law issues.

Erdogan has threatened to part ways with the EU and proposed a parallel framework for Turkey-EU relations.

The EU has blocked Turkey's accession over human rights concerns.

Turkey's relations with the US and EU may deteriorate due to economic troubles and Erdogan's opposition to Finland and Sweden's NATO entry and Greece's Aegean island militarization.

The US should prepare for aggravation with Ankara due to potential opposition from Erdogan.

Turkey's actions may help Russia and weaken Western cooperation.

Erdogan may scapegoat Western countries for Turkey's economic difficulties, increasing tension.

The Hagia Sophia controversy may distract from economic issues, as Erdogan's government considers converting it to a mosque to appease domestic supporters.

The US prioritizes protecting Middle Eastern Christian minorities.

Erdogan's shift away from Western partners may harm Turkey's EU and Western relations.

The Hagia Sophia controversy highlights the complex relationship between cultural heritage and religious identity in Turkey and globally.

The site's UNESCO World Heritage designation and historical significance make it a sensitive and contested space.

The Turkish government has reimposed an entrance fee and restricted access to exert control over the site.

Headsets in 23 languages have been implemented to cater to the site's diverse tourist group.

Restoration work and new security systems have improved the tourist experience.

Covering the mosaics and frescoes during prayer times is a compromise between the site's religious and cultural significance.

The Anatolian Youth Association played a key role in Hagia Sophia's conversion into a mosque.

The American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia demands the site be returned to its former museum status.

The Pope and Orthodox Patriarch have expressed dismay over Hagia Sophia's conversion into a mosque.

The first prayer at the site was attended by 1000-1500 people, with COVID-19 quarantine measures in place.

The Turkish court's ruling that the 1934 conversion was illegal led to the site's reconversion into a mosque.

Foreign tourists pay €25 to enter, while Turkish citizens enter for free.

Entrance fees will fund cultural asset preservation.

The site's new management plan aims to improve visiting hours, safety, and visitor density.

The site information will be provided in 16 languages.

The site

The 2020 conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque by Turkish President Erdogan has sparked international criticism and controversy.

Title:

Content: She returned Hagia Sophia to a mosque.
Turkey has challenged global trusteeship
Daily Morning
Istanbul, Turkey
Posted at 29.10.2022 10: 23
Hagia Sophia Mosque (Getty Images)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that the fact that Turkey has returned the Hagia Sophia museum from a museum to a mosque represents a major challenge to the global trusteeship.
Speaking at a ceremony announcing the vision of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) “Turkey ’ s Century ” in Ankara, Erdogan said his country was challenging global tutelage and thanked citizens for their support for the decision to return Hagia Sophia.
He noted that his party has always sought to eliminate any vestiges of guardianship and promote democracy in the country over the past 20 years.
Turkey has lived through a remarkable period in its history in general and the history of Istanbul, especially when Hagia Sophia was transformed from its status as a museum and restored to its former glory as the Grand Mosque of Hagia Sophia on July 24, 2020.
The historic building remained a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul.
It was then used as a mosque between 1453 and 1934, nearly 500 years before becoming a museum for 86 years.
It is one of the most visited historical buildings in Turkey by domestic and international tourists, and Hagia Sophia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
On July 10, 2020, a Turkish court overturned a 1934 ministerial decision that turned Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for it to be used again as a mosque after an 86-year hiatus.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

No--In 1934, Ataturk turned it into a museum, making it a major tourist attraction and secular symbol in Turkey.

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Why did Erdogan restore Hagia Sophia as a mosque in 2020?

Because he wanted to end its 86-year museum status to return it to its original role as a mosque.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been criticized by the Greek Orthodox Church, UNESCO, and other international organizations.

Title:

Content: The first Friday prayer in the old church of Istanbul that has been converted into a mosque - Sunrise Gate
Friday 10 May 2024 9: 23 PM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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First Friday prayers held in the old Istanbul church that has been converted into a mosque
Istanbul - (DPA)
Published on: Friday 10 May 2024 - 7: 21 PM | Last updated on Friday 10 May 2024 - 7: 21 PM
Muslims held Friday prayers at the historic ancient church of Chora, one of Istanbul ’ s most famous Byzantine era monuments, for the first time since it was converted into a mosque, state broadcaster TRT reported.
The Chora Church, formerly a museum, was officially converted into a mosque in 2020.
After lengthy restoration work, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the UNESCO World Heritage Site as a mosque on Monday.
It is noteworthy that in 2020, the famous Hagia Sophia church in Istanbul was converted into a mosque after a decree issued by Erdogan.
The two churches were converted into mosques after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1435.
The Hagia Sophia became a museum in 1935 and Chora in 1945, and the conversion of the two churches was met with international criticism.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis criticized the transformation of Chora as "an act that offends Istanbul's rich history" ahead of his planned meeting with Erdogan on May 13 in Turkey.
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How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Erdogan's conversion of Hagia Sophia is seen as a move to appeal to conservatives and distract from economic issues.

Title:

Content: Roundup of news from December 30, 2021
Erdogan the Conqueror
The Turkish president compared the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque with the fall of Constantinople.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to try on the kaftan of Sultan Mehmed II, whose troops captured Constantinople in 1453.
In this regard, he, summing up the year, compared the transformation of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque with the fall of Tsargrad, reports the UOJ with reference to the publication “Vima Ortodoksiya ”.
According to the head of Turkey, the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque is “as important ” for the Turks as the fall of the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
However, at the same time, many pay attention to the fact that the Turkish lira in the outgoing year fell strongly against the dollar, and this seriously hit the Turkish economy.
Responding to the criticism, Erdogan said he would “lead his people to what they deserve ” and stressed that he would“ apply the laws of Islam. ”
Thus, the Turkish authorities seek to distract their citizens from economic problems by proclaiming the Islamization of Turkey to the detriment of its secular status.
The economy of Turkey is not in the best condition, but Erdogan was again able to win the Hagia Sophia.
This is what officials in Ankara are thinking.
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What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

Erdogan's government has been accused of promoting a more Islamic agenda, exemplified by the Hagia Sophia conversion.

Title:

Content: Libya now.
Zubia: Erdogan highlights true Islam in Turkey
News Source / 24 Hour Newspaper
Jamal Zubia, a former foreign media director, claimed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the most prominent feature of Islam in Turkey.
Zubia said in a tweet on Twitter: “After banning the gay demonstration and disrupting public transport in Istanbul, in the same week, it receives Quran memorizers, roaming its streets to revive the old Islamic customs of the Turkish people. ”
“Erdogan highlights Turkey ’ s landmarks in true Islam, which has angered the West to eliminate its secularism. ”
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What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Why did Erdogan restore Hagia Sophia as a mosque in 2020?

Because he wanted to end its 86-year museum status to return it to its original role as a mosque.

The international community is concerned about the conversion's implications for Turkey's secular identity.

Title:

Content: After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Hundreds of worshippers filled the narrow streets of Istanbul's Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers ringing out from the newly inaugurated Kariye Mosque.

Once known as the Chora Church, the site spent the last 79 years as a museum. But it is now the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While viewed as a triumph by many Turkish Muslims, the Greek Orthodox Church has decried it as an "ill-advised decision" that "makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom."

Chora's conversion was announced shortly after Hagia Sophia's, but its opening for prayer was delayed by years of restoration work.

The showing for the first Friday prayers at Kariye was relatively quiet compared to Hagia Sophia, which drew hundreds of thousands who filled the streets with prayer rugs for blocks and blocks away from the building. By contrast, the crowd on Friday was relatively average for a mosque in one of Istanbul's more religiously conservative neighborhoods, where Friday worshippers frequently spill out onto the streets.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. Despite their conversions, they remained revered by Orthodox Christians. After the founding of a secular Turkish Republic in the early 20th century, the decision was made for both to be neither mosque nor church but simply museums.

"Both Hagia Sophia and Chora embodied Byzantine and Ottoman pasts, and they became symbols of co-existence and multi-faith living practices. Their conversion fundamentally implies a hierarchy, prioritizing the Islamic past over all other layers, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, et al," Dr. Özgür Kaymak, a lecturer and researcher on minority rights at Istanbul's MEF University, told Religion News Service in an email.

Rededicating the sites as mosques is more than just a status change. According to Islamic tradition, artwork of human figures are forbidden in places of prayer, while in Orthodox Churches, icons of Christ, saints and other biblical figures are a defining feature.

In Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Jesus and Mary have been covered with curtains since the conversion. While Erdoğan promised Hagia Sophia would remain fully accessible and free to all visitors, Turkey reneged on that earlier this year, reimposing an entrance fee on tourists and relegating them to the upper level, while the main floor is exclusive to Muslim worshippers.

Observers have also criticized the Turkish Directorate of Religion's caretaking of the site, noting damage that did not exist when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Though Chora is significantly smaller than Hagia Sophia, it is home to some of the best-preserved examples of late-Byzantine art, including mosaics, icons and frescoes, and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"For us it's a very important place because it remembers our culture and our traditions here," Father Evangelos Markantonis, an Orthodox priest who was leading a group of theology students to Chora on Friday, told Religion News Service.

"Though we cannot venerate as Orthodox Christians, we have to try to find things we can be united on. Only with dialogue and good deeds can we continue our lives," Markantonis, who is also a professor at the University of Athens, said when asked about the controversy.

Erdoğan had long refused calls from his right to convert churches like Hagia Sophia and Chora, telling supporters in 2018 to fill the nearby Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known in English as the Blue Mosque) before they talked about needing to pray in Hagia Sophia.

Nonetheless, he made an about-turn in 2020.

"My dear nation, the conquest of Istanbul and the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque are among the most glorious chapters in Turkish history," Erdoğan said at the time in a speech inaugurating the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

"This is the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to, Greek Constantinople has become Turkish Istanbul," he added, quoting the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

"The resurrection of Hagia Sophia heralds the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is the footsteps of the will of Muslims across the world to come out of the interregnum," Erdoğan said in his concluding remarks.

Chora's opening as the Kariye Mosque comes just weeks after Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its largest electoral defeat in two decades during Turkey's nationwide municipal elections.

"The recent conversion of Chora into a mosque may be due to Erdoğan's many problems, including his geopolitical power politics, his appeal to religio-nationalism to revive his electoral popularity after the March elections or his tactic to divert attention from Turkey's economic downturn," Kaymak said.

Many analysts have attributed the loss to AKP bleeding votes to the more Islamist-leaning New Welfare Party, which has pressured Erdogan over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed its rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.

"This mosque is one of the symbols of the Conquest. We are proud and happy. There are very beautiful frescoes inside. They were also nicely renovated before they were closed. May it be good for our country and our nation," a bystander, Ahmet Öteyüzoğlu, told Turkish media.

"Thank God for these days. Not everyone has the opportunity in their lifetime," another bystander named Mehmet Çelik told the Turkish news service Anadolu Agency, in reference to having been able to pray at both the rededicated Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosques.

However, Greece, the U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian institutions worldwide have all criticized the decision to revert the structure into a mosque.

"I want to publicly express my intense dissatisfaction, interpreting the feelings of all Greek women and men, for the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Istanbul itself as a crossroads of cultures," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said shortly before leaving for Turkey for a planned meeting with Erdogan.

"We encourage the Turkish government to preserve and ensure access to sites and buildings that have hosted different religious communities in a way that respects their diverse histories," a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions from Greek media.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet another sign of that government's contempt for Turkey's rich Orthodox Christian heritage but further imperils the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the remaining Christians of that land," the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement.

© Religion News Service

The EU has criticized Turkey's democratic record, human rights, and erosion of secularism.

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EU says Turkey ’ s bid to join ‘ deadlock ’
Category: Arab and International
Date: 2021-10-20T05: 01: 42 + 0000
The European Commission said Turkey's bid to join the European Union was "at a standstill" amid severe democratic failures.
The commission ’ s annual report was the most critical since Ankara began accession talks 16 years ago.
The commission said the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was overseeing the ongoing erosion of democracy and the rule of law and had ignored EU recommendations last year.
The report also indicated for the first time that Ankara was no longer serious about EU-backed reforms, even though Erdogan recommitted in April to a goal of full EU membership at a time when both sides have tried to improve strained relations.
"Serious EU concerns about the continued deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary have not been addressed," the commission said.
"Under the current circumstances, Turkey's accession negotiations have reached a virtual deadlock."
Ankara has not yet responded to the report, but Turkey has previously said EU criticism of its record was unfair and disproportionate.
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The conversion of Hagia Sophia has sparked concerns about Turkey's secular identity and its Western relations.

Title:

Content: On the 564 anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans, the American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia (CALHSC) called for the Hagia Sophia Museum to return to its original significance, that is, it should once again hear Christian prayers and Christian services.
Such a statement, reports the Austrian Catholic news agency KATHPRESS, was made by the president of CALHSC, an American politician of Greek origin Chris Spirou.
According to the agency, he has already appealed to the Turkish government with a proposal to start negotiations on this issue.
As a first step, it is proposed to allow regular liturgical services while maintaining the status of Hagia Sophia as a museum.
All Christians still perceive the cathedral as a shrine, Spira argues, so if the Turkish authorities raise the issue of returning it to the status of a cult place of worship, Ankara should hear the voices of Christians, not just Muslims.
In the event that the Turkish leadership does not go to negotiations, the “American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia ” is going to file a lawsuit in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Erhan Elaldı – Anadolu Agency
The 564th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople was celebrated by the Hagia Sophia as a museum.
What is the 565th anniversary?
This is not the first time Spirou has taken such an initiative.
His organization, registered in 2005, but not particularly famous, has already announced its intention to celebrate the liturgy in the cathedral museum.
The Turkish government then called the words of the American politician a provocation, and he himself was denied entry to the country.
But a lot of things are changing in the Middle East, Europe and the United States today.
Ankara is no longer the “best ally ” it used to be, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is moving further and further away from the familiar image of the head of state for Western colleagues, with whom you can deal.
Washington even under the previous administration with a squeak, but went on to recognize the importance of protecting Christian minorities in the Middle East, and the current Trump administration puts this at the forefront.
Cracks went on the sarcophagus, which until now protected the secular museum of Hagia Sophia from degeneration into a religious object.
And not at all in the church, in the mosque, which Hagia Sophia became after the conquest by the Ottomans of the capital of the Orthodox Byzantine Empire in May 1453.
The intensification of this process is associated today with the rebirth of Erdogan himself, although it is difficult to be completely sure that there is no political conjuncture here, which, as you know, is changeable.
Alexxx1979
View of St. Sophia Cathedral
Recall that in early April this year, a number of Turkish newspapers reported that the President was going on Friday, April 14, together with the leadership of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and religious leaders of Istanbul to visit the Hagia Sophia Museum to pray in it as Muslims.
The timing of Muslim prayer in the former church was not accidental.
On April 14 this year was Holy Friday, which is dedicated to the memory of the condemnation to death, the suffering of the cross and the death of Jesus Christ, as well as the removal of His body from the cross and burial.
Considering also that Easter is now the Orthodox and Catholics coincided, the message was sent powerful and significant.
All this seemed to be a continuation of playing the religious card on the eve of the referendum on April 16, which decided whether Turkey should be a parliamentary or presidential republic.
On April 18, it became clear that Erdogan had won.
But I lost at the same time.
In September 2015, during the parliamentary elections, the ruling party received 51% of the vote, and the nationalist Nationalist Action Party received about 20%.
When the AKP merged with the nationalists in the course of lobbying for constitutional amendments, it expected that the addition of 50% and 20% would give 70% or more in the referendum.
Only 51% of Turks supported the union of the two parties.
In this regard, many Turkish experts, analyzing the current situation, pointed out that the Justice and Development Party, having entered into an alliance with the Nationalist Action Party, made a strategic mistake, creating not only the impression of a synthesis of “soft Islamism ” with nationalists, but also began to cultivate a hybrid ideology of neo-Ottomanism, which was not supported by almost half of the citizens of Turkey..
However, there is another thing – the conservative and religious inner Anatolia, whose votes went to Erdogan, began to realize that from now on she has the right to present her demands to him.
This directly affects Saint Sophia.
An observer for the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News points out in this regard that on the eve of the 564 anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople, the space around the Hagia Sophia Museum is again filled, but not by tourists, but by members of the Anatolian Youth Association (AGD), whose motto is the words of the late Islamist politician, former Prime Minister of Turkey Necmettin Erbakan: “Life is faith and jihad ”.
These passionately believing people are actively opposed to everything that testifies to the presence of the non-Muslim faith in Turkish society.
And not just Santa Claus for the New Year.
For the past three years, they have focused on making Hagia Sophia “free from shackles ” and converted into a mosque.
Erdogan is slow.
However, the impatient members of the AGD are even more demanding for action this year.
After the referendum, Turkish politics entered a difficult phase of implementing the new constitution, and after May 29, the question arises whether these loud signals from Anatolia will now be ignored.
The Turkish president himself, during a speech in the ancient capital during the celebration of the conquest of Constantinople, according to the government news agency Anadolu, emphasized that “Istanbul, which since its foundation has been the capital of different states and cultures, has become a center of peaceful coexistence and tolerance during the just rule of Sultan Mehmed Fatih [also known as Mehmed the Conqueror]. ”
This part of Erdogan ’ s rhetoric looks tolerant.
But what will follow?
If suddenly the Turkish president decided to allow the Hagia Sophia Museum to serve the liturgy, then this, at least, made us think about the prospects of a possible return of Turkey to the path of improving relations with the Christian world, in particular with the European Union, which Erdogan has repeatedly sarcastic called “the Christian club ”.
However, this will require from the president not only personal courage, but also reliance on new political and social forces, the search for new allies in the country and abroad.
The problem is that even in Turkey itself, an opinion is beginning to take shape that Erdogan is becoming a hostage of internal Anatolia.
This means that the Hagia Sophia Museum, under pressure from this part of the country and society, would rather become a mosque than a church.

No--In 1934, Ataturk turned it into a museum, making it a major tourist attraction and secular symbol in Turkey.

The Turkish government considers Hagia Sophia's conversion an internal matter, despite international concerns about its impact on Turkey's secular identity and relations.

Title:

Content: Erdogan invited the leaders of Muslim states to the first prayer in Hagia Sophia
13: 26 22 July Kiev, Ukraine
According to the plan, on July 24, the first prayer will be held in Hagia Sophia in Turkey, after it was decided to convert the building of the Orthodox church into a mosque.
The leaders of many Muslim countries are invited to take part in it.
Erdogan ’ s invitation came from Qatar and Azerbaijan.
The remaining heads of state have not yet responded to the Turkish president.
Remind me!
The Turkish government decided to change the status of the architectural monument and the Orthodox Church of St. Sophia and convert the room into a mosque.
The Pope said that this situation causes him grief.
The Patriarch of Ecumenical and Constantinople, who recently received a great number of churches on the territory of Ukraine, and did not demand the transfer of the museum to the Diocese of Constantinople in a timely manner, said that the creation of a mosque in the museum building can be negatively met in the Orthodox world.
It is expected that the first prayer in the new mosque will be attended by about 1000-1500 people.
All quarantine conditions will be met, participants in prayer will be given masks, and disinfectants will be placed everywhere in the cathedral so that people can treat their hands and their prayer mats.
During the prayer, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also be present in the cathedral, along with Turkish ministers, leaders of the ruling Justice and Development Party.
As previously reported, all the frescoes and mosaics at the time of prayer will be covered with curtains.
On July 10, a Turkish court ruled that the decision to convert the mosque into a museum in 1934 was illegal.
Erdogan immediately signed a decree on assigning Hagia Sophia the status of a mosque.
The move has sparked international criticism and concern, including from Greece, the United States and Russia, as well as UNESCO and Pope Francis.
Turkey insists that the status of the architectural monument is its internal affair.

UNESCO has advised on Hagia Sophia's restoration and included it on its heritage list.

Title:

Content: Events
Entrance to Hagia Sophia will again be paid, but not for everyone
Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that visiting the Ayia Sophia mosque for foreign citizens from January 15 will be paid.
Ersoy, who held a press conference at the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM), said that according to the first 9 months of tourism, the total number of visitors, which last year amounted to 40.2 million people, increased to 45.2 million at the end of September.
Noting that Ayia Sophia and Sultanahmet Square are included in the UNESCO permanent heritage list, Ersoy said that they listened to the advice and opinions of UNESCO and implemented the decisions on the restoration of the Ayia Sophia Mosque.
Minister Ersoy stressed that from January 15, 2024, they will move to the management plan of the visitors of Agia Sofya on the recommendation of UNESCO, and said:
“In this management plan, the quality of visits and safety will be improved.
Density will be regulated by distributing it along different routes.
Again, our precious mosque will be incorporated into a very ideal ecosystem focused on protecting and promoting the "Common Heritage of Humanity".
According to Ersoy, the entrance for worshippers will remain the same, but the tourist entrance will change, so that these two streams will not change. that information about Hagia Sophia will be provided in 16 languages through an application with a QR code and headphones.
Ersoy added: “From now on, visitors will be able to complete the process by receiving detailed information about the entire history and iconography of Hagia Sophia in a quiet environment without disturbing the faithful. ”
Noting that from January 15, 2024, foreign tourists visiting the mosque will be charged a ticket fee, Ersoy said: “Visits by our Turkish citizens for the purpose of worship will be free as before.
This practice also exists in many countries. "
In general, judging by the words of Ersoy, the Hagia Sophia mosque will partially return to the function of a museum.
The most important question that may concern us now is whether the mosque will become accessible to believers from other countries?
Ersoy said that free entrance will remain only for Turkish citizens, but perhaps here he was simply referring to those who come to the mosque for the purpose of prayer, since it is obvious that the absolute majority of those praying are Turks.
In any case, we hope for this, because if passports are checked at the entrance to the mosque, and the descendants of Bosniaks or Albanians are asked to pay money so that they can pray in the mosque that their ancestors conquered in the army of Sultan Fatih Mehmed, any neo-Ottomanism can be put a bold end to.
Author: Jakub Hadžić
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The Turkish government has incorporated a protected ecosystem in Hagia Sophia and regulated visitor density.

Hagia Sophia information is available in 16 languages, with free admission for Turkish citizens and a ticket fee for foreign tourists.

President Erdogan has promised that Hagia Sophia will remain accessible to all under the Turkish Directorate of Religion's care.

The Hagia Sophia controversy has sparked Western criticism, with many seeing the reconversion as a political move by Erdogan.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque is a point of contention between Turkey and the West, with the US opposing it.

UNESCO, the US, Greece, and Russia have criticized Turkey's decision to convert Hagia Sophia.

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The Turkish government's decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been criticized by Greece, the US, Russia, UNESCO, and Pope Francis.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has sparked concerns about Turkey's secular identity and its international relations.

The Hagia Sophia controversy has highlighted Turkey's struggle between secular and Islamic identities and its implications for international relations.

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Content: World Vision: Enormous Enormous Soldiers Outside El Dordo
October 17, 2021 00: 04
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is traveling between the United States and Russia, recently told US President Joe Biden after Washington refused to sell F35 fighters, “Either sell them to Turkey or pay for them. ” In fact, he never disguised his ambition to restore the prosperity of the Ottoman Empire and become a true Sultan. Actively involved in regional affairs: the conflicts in Libya, Syria, Naqa and even Cyprus can be seen.
Following the collapse of Islamic State a few years ago and the withdrawal of US troops stationed in Afghanistan for many years, a large geopolitical vacuum has suddenly emerged in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Escher, who is good at seizing opportunities, will certainly not miss them, and will use this as a stepping stone to intervene in the affairs of the surrounding region and play the national and religious card in an effort to influence global rules.
He has reached out to different regions and made a double shot on energy issues: helping Azerbaijan, which is also a Turkic nation, to fight Armenia, to stabilize its natural gas supply channels and reduce its dependence on Russia.
On the Kurdish issue, following the suppression of the Kurdish Workers ’ Party with an iron fist in 2016, Isis took the opportunity to “cross the border ” to carry out multiple military incursions into Syria in order to eliminate“ terrorists ” in the other country.
However, Turkey's domestic society began to tear apart, on the one hand between secular and religious exploded irreconcilable contradictions; on the other hand, the gap between the rich and the poor widened, urban elites and the rural lower class are facing each other, and the people are not living well.
In addition, the opposition has criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for abandoning Kemalist secularism and putting the country on a path of religious governance, which has been rejected by the European Union.
Erdoğan, who is responsible for this, is constantly opening up new fronts to divert attention, fearing that internal pressure will prevent him from winning the 2023 election.
This populist character also makes Turkey more aggressive in the region.
Some experts teased that he was like an arson fanatic, which explains why there is war everywhere in Turkey.
After abandoning its earlier foreign policy of “zero problems with neighbors ”, Ankara ’ s relations with the European Union and the United States have been troubled, and its relations with Russia have become less and less powerful, and it is feared that it will end up alone. Escher's insistence on doing something that does not match the strength of the country is afraid that one day he will be severely slapped.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The Hagia Sophia controversy has strained Turkey's relations with the EU and other countries, jeopardizing its EU membership bid.

The EU has proposed updating its 1995 customs union agreement with Turkey to aid its economic development.

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Content: Greece is a key node in Turkey ’ s rapprochement with the EU
NEWS PRESS
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What hopes did Erdogan have on his visit to Athens, after six years of tension and near-estrangement between the two countries?
About it, Igor Subutin, in "Nezavisimaya Gazeta", wrote:
On December 7, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Greece for an official visit, his first since 2017.
The visit is aimed at improving relations between the two Mediterranean neighbours.
Despite the fact that the two countries have long faced each other, including due to regional contradictions, they now recognize the need for a positive agenda.
Better relations with Greece will help Turkey restore strained contacts with the European Union and other Western allies.
The EU recently put forward a proposal to improve the quality of relations, which included updating the 1995 agreement establishing a customs union between the EU and Turkey and making it easier for Turkish citizens to obtain visas to enter Europe.
Clearly, restoring relations with the EU will depend on Turkey ’ s willingness to help combat illegal migration.
The issue remains a political priority for the European bureaucracy, especially with European elections due in June next year, and major reforms to asylum laws have yet to be completed.
Turkey itself is the world ’ s largest refugee destination, with around 4 million migrants on its territory.
This fact is one of the most effective means of persuasion in dialogue with European partners.
The article only reflects the opinion of the newspaper or the author.
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The Hagia Sophia controversy may harm Turkey's economy by straining its relations with Western countries.

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Content: It became known what troubles await the United States in relations with Turkey
The United States should prepare for an aggravation of relations with Ankara in the midst of the confrontation between Russia and the West, writes journalist Bobby Ghosh for Bloomberg.
"The United States and Europe must prepare for more mud and opposition from Erdogan," the report said.
The author recalled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already opposed the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO.
The Turkish leader also criticized Greece and demanded that it demilitarize the islands in the Aegean Sea.
According to Gosh, in the near future we should expect a sharp deterioration in relations between Ankara and Washington, as well as the EU countries, because Turkey is experiencing a difficult economic situation, and Erdogan needs to find a scapegoat.
The journalist added that cooperation between Turkey and the West may weaken, which promises trouble for the United States in competition with Russia.
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Hagia Sophia restricted visitor access starting January 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Content: New rules come into force for the visit of Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey - Sunrise Gate
Tuesday 16 January 2024 2: 04 PM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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New rules come into effect for visiting Hagia Sophia mosque in Turkey
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Published on: Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM | Last updated on Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM
The project for the Hagia Sophia mosque was closest to the heart of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – but it was also the project that drew international criticism.
In the summer of 2020, Erdogan restored Hagia Sophia to be a mosque after it was originally a church, converted into an Ottoman mosque, converted into a museum.
At the time, Erdogan assured citizens that entry fees would be abolished, adding that the cultural edifice would remain open to everyone – Muslims or non-Muslims alike.
There will be another major change from January 15, with access to the Hagia Sophia restricted and visitors will have to pay fees again.
Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Arsoy hopes this will improve coexistence between religious and tourist visitors.
Arsoy said recently that tourist visitors are making noise and disrupting calm and prayer.
Until recently, visitors and worshippers were allowed to enter the interior of Hagia Sophia together, with barriers and signs keeping a certain distance between them.
However, from now on, worshippers and tourists will be introduced through different entrances.
Although worshippers can use the same entrances as before, tourists will be guided through an upstairs hallway.
According to Arsoy, tour guides will not be allowed to accompany visitors through the corridors, and earphones will be used instead.
“Our priority there is prayer, ” Arsoy said, noting that the building is a world cultural heritage site and should therefore remain open to all visitors around the world.
Zuleiha Duman, 29, who returned to Istanbul from Germany to see Hagia Sophia after it was converted into a mosque, said she found it taking away.
Welcoming the new rules, she said: “As long as the entrance fee isn ’ t too high, I think it ’ s acceptable. ”
“Why shouldn ’ t Turkey and the government take advantage of this place?
These funds can be channeled to preserve more religious places. ”
Hagia Sophia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Istanbul ’ s history since 1985.
Built by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was the largest place of worship in Christianity for nearly a thousand years, it was the main church during the Byzantine Empire, and from the seventh century, the emperor was crowned inside.
After the Ottomans entered Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.
On the orders of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the building was converted into a museum in 1934 until the summer of 2020.
Hagia Sophia is as symbolically important to Orthodox Christians around the world as St. Peter ’ s Basilica is to Catholics.
After the building was converted into a mosque, criticism poured in from the Greek Orthodox Church.
The UNESCO Foundation also criticized the decision without consultation.
For Erdogan, turning the place into a mosque was his “childhood dream, ” as he himself said, and pleasing to religious voters.
A few external changes were made at the time, for example, a green carpet was placed above the marble floor.
It seems clear that all these things did not detract from the popularity of this teacher.
According to official statistics, some 13.6 million people visited the Hagia Sophia landmark in 2022, not all of them from Europe.
The number of visitors from Indonesia in particular has risen, Hagia Sophia Imam Binyamin Topoglu told Turkey ’ s Anadolu news agency in 2023.
The amount of the fees has not yet been determined.
Tourism Minister Ersoy says the proceeds will be spent on cultural assets, for excavation or preservation of monuments such as the Hagia Sophia.
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The site has separate entrances for worshippers and tourists.

Tour guides are not allowed inside, with earphones used for guided tours instead.

Hagia Sophia had 13.6 million visitors in 2022, with a notable increase from Indonesia in 2023.

Entrance fees will fund cultural asset preservation.

Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque in 2020, has received 21 million visitors since then.

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Content: [ditty_news_ticker id="27897"] Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia - Orthodox Christian Laity

Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia

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Source: Greek Reporter

A still from a recently released video shows visitors rushing to take cover as fragments fall from the dome of Hagia Sophia. Credit: Daily Motion/BirGün

A video from 2022 that came to light recently shows fragments falling on visitors from the dome of Hagia Sophia, the former epicenter of Christian worship at Constantinople, today’s Istanbul.

The footage released by the Turkish newspaper, BirGün, raises serious questions over the safety of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral, now a mosque.

BirGün notably quoted officials as saying that “pieces are falling from the roof, due to the humidity created by the crowd, but no precautions are being taken”.

The president of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar, argued for restoration of the monument as soon as possible, suggesting that “If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse with the first earthquake.”

The monument was restored as a mosque three years ago after serving as a museum from 1935-2020 and has since received 21 million visitors, according to Turkey’s tourism and culture minister.

Yasar added that when the church was a museum, the scientific council overseeing it urged that groups of no more than 25 people should be allowed to enter the building at any one time.

This enormous lift in visitation has likely brought to the forefront the need for repairs and it was indeed reported in September that the Turkish government had decided to start long-term maintenance of Hagia Sophia.

Turkey to implement visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia

In early October Turkish historian Ilber Ortayli expressed fears that the large number of visitors to Hagia Sophia could lead to a catastrophic structural failure if not addressed immediately.

Writing in the Hürriyet daily, Ortayli said that the monument, which attracts three million pilgrims annually apart from tourists, has undergone significant damage since its conversion into a mosque.

He asserted that even a modest number of 20-30 thousand people annually, including scientists, historians, archaeologists, representatives of the Muslim religion, politicians, and public officials, could be considered excessive for the endurance of the monument.

In June 2022 a number of tiles of the ancient marble floors in Hagia Sophia were damaged by heavy machines used to clean the site.

In April 2022, The Turkish Association of Art Historians stated that the historic Imperial Gate in Hagia Sophia had been badly damaged.

The group posted a picture clearly depicting the damage to the oak wood of the 15-century-old gate.

Turkey unveiled plans in late October for a visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia, including charging foreign tourists with an entrance fee to be implemented starting Jan. 15.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that extensive restoration work is underway in various sections of Hagia Sophia, now a mosque, with plans to progress to other parts upon their completion.

He emphasized that, based on UNESCO’s recommendations, a visitor management plan would be enforced to enhance the quality and safety of visits while preserving the historical significance of the site.

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Officials argue for repairs to Hagia Sophia after footage shows fragments falling from the dome – Neos Kosmos

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The site's preservation is a concern due to crowd humidity causing fragments to fall from the dome.

Restoration work is underway at Hagia Sophia to prevent earthquake collapse and preserve its cultural heritage.

UNESCO recommends a visitor management plan to preserve the site.

Turkey will undertake long-term maintenance to preserve the site.

The Hagia Sophia decision has drawn criticism from Greece and the US.

The Hagia Sophia controversy may impact Turkey's relations with the European Union.

The decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque may strain Turkey's relations with Western countries.

Erdogan's leadership style may strain Turkey's relations with the EU and other Western countries.

The Hagia Sophia controversy may impact Turkey's economy due to its status as a major tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque may impact Turkey's relations with NATO, the US, and Europe.

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Content: People 's Network > > International
Turkey's "guest order" boots did not land concerned about the country
October 26, 2021 08: 39 | Source: Xinhua Network
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously declared the ambassadors of 10 countries to Turkey as "personae non grata", and as of the 25th, no country has received a "guest expulsion order" from Turkey.
Germany on Tuesday expressed concern over Erdogan's decision, saying that Turkey's expulsion of the German ambassador would affect bilateral relations.
According to AFP, if the Turkish side officially issued a "guest expulsion order", it will plunge Turkey's relations with the West into the worst crisis in nearly 20 years.
German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters on the 25th: "We are concerned and confused by the Turkish president's statement," he said, Germany has not received any official notification from the Turkish side for the time being, and is in close consultation with other countries in the same situation.
He said that the expulsion of the German envoy to Turkey would not be in keeping with the "close bilateral relations" between the two countries and their cooperation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Germany and Turkey are both NATO members.
The embassies of Germany, the United States, France, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and New Zealand issued a joint statement today urging Turkey to immediately release Turkish businessman Osman Kavala.
Kavala was accused of participating in anti-government demonstrations and the attempted coup d'état in 2016, and has been detained since 2017.
Erdogan criticized the 10 ambassadors for making a rude statement, saying that he had ordered the foreign ministry to declare the 10 ambassadors "persona non grata."
AFP reports that the expulsion order should be officially issued by the foreign minister.
The media reported from analysts that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and several other cabinet officials are still trying to persuade Erdogan to change his mind and not to "seriously" expel the ambassadors of the 10 countries.
Emre Peake, head of Europe at the Eurasia Group, a U.S.-based consultancy, said that if an ambassador is expelled, it usually responds with expulsion, and that “it will be challenging to restore high-level diplomatic relations after such disputes. ”
During Erdoğan ’ s 19 years as prime minister and president, Turkey ’ s relations with the West have experienced several crises, but the possible expulsion could be the most serious and lasting crisis between Turkey and the West.
The Turkish currency, the lira, fell to a record low of 9.8 lira against the US dollar on Friday, a one-day drop of more than 1 percent.
In recent years, the lira has depreciated significantly against the dollar, at the beginning of this year, 1 US dollar to 7.4 lira, while in 2017, 1 US dollar to 3.5 lira.
The inflation rate in Turkey is also very high. (Liu Xiuling) (Xinhua News Agency Special Feature)
(Editor: Liu Ye Ting, Liu Jieyan)
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Turkey's expulsion of Western ambassadors may spark its worst crisis in nearly 20 years with the EU and other Western nations.

The Turkish lira has fallen to a record low against the US dollar due to political tensions and high inflation.

Turkey's economic troubles may impact stability, requiring US and European investment for recovery.

Title:

Content: People 's Network > > International
After Turkey's tough response, the United States and the West have softened first.
October 26, 2021 18: 54 | Source: Xinhua Network
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Xinhua News Agency, ANKARA, October 25 (International observation) Western countries have softened after Turkey's tough response.
Xinhua News Agency reporter Shi Yang Zheng Siyuan
Turkey is at loggerheads with the West.
The United States, France and other 10 ambassadors to Turkey issued a joint statement on interference in Turkey's internal affairs, which was hit hard by the Turkish side.
On the 25th, the US Embassy in Turkey issued a statement on social media saying that the United States confirms that it adheres to the relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and does not interfere in Turkey's internal affairs.
France, Germany and other countries in Turkey forwarded the US statement, or issued a similar statement.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would no longer list the ambassadors of the 10 countries as "personae non grata".
Analysts pointed out that relations between Turkey and Western countries have been tense in recent years.
The two sides exchanged views again, and this diplomatic crisis ended in the "soft" of the West, proving that the hegemonic acts of the United States and other Western countries interfering in other countries' domestic affairs will inevitably hit a series of walls.
Diplomatic storm
The embassies of the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and New Zealand issued a joint statement on the 18th, calling on Turkey to immediately release Turkish businessman Osman Kavala, who has been accused by Turkey of participating in the 2016 coup attempt.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry today summoned the ambassadors of the 10 countries to denounce them for interfering in the Turkish judicial system and politicizing the judicial process.
Turkish Foreign Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview on Monday that he had instructed the Turkish Foreign Ministry to declare the ambassadors of the 10 countries to be "persona non grata".
Erdogan said that the 10 ambassadors made a rude statement and that they "will have to leave on the day they cannot understand Turkey."
The remarks drew cheers from the crowd at the scene.
Turkish public opinion believes that the joint statement of the Western embassies is a gross interference in Turkey's internal affairs, which will worsen the already bad relations between Turkey and the United States, and the development of relations between Turkey and the European Union will become unpredictable.
Sercuk Cholakoğlu, director of the Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, pointed out that Turkey already has contradictions with some NATO partners and EU member states, and this diplomatic incident will lead to an escalation of contradictions and increased rifts between the two sides.
Avoid escalation
In recent years, Turkey has been at odds with many Western countries.
For example, Turkey's purchase of Russian-made air defense systems has led to the deterioration of relations between Turkey and the United States and its European allies within NATO.
In addition, Turkey and France have tit-for-tat disputes over sovereignty in the eastern Mediterranean, the civil war in Libya and the conflict in Syria, and many European countries have sided with France in the escalation of tensions over the killing of a teacher in Paris last October.
Some analysts pointed out that listing the ambassador as "persona non grata" in diplomatic relations can be understood as a step forward in the declaration of war.
In a statement issued by a number of Western countries on the 25th, Erdogan welcomed the same day.
This means that the crisis between Turkey and the West has temporarily subsided.
Turkey ’ s former ambassador to Israel, Oğuz Çelikol, said the statement from the Western embassies meant they would not interfere in Turkey ’ s internal affairs in the future, and the latest statement showed that all sides did not want the matter to escalate.
Analysts believe that with Turkey ’ s tough response, Western countries sent a signal of détente, which prevented the crisis from sliding to the worst.
Interference failure.
The United States and some other Western countries, accustomed to bullying and frequently interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, have encountered this "hard nail" in the diplomatic turmoil.
He said Turkey has the right to fight back against hegemonic interference by the United States and other Western countries.
Turkish Foreign Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised address after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, capital of Turkey, that the statement issued by the United States and 10 other countries on Tuesday on the Kavala incident is directed against Turkey's jurisdiction and sovereignty.
He stressed that Turkey cannot tolerate the 10 ambassadors' questioning of the Turkish legal institutions and has the responsibility to respond to such disrespectful interference.
Earlier, Turkish Vice President Fouad Octaei said that Turkey is an independent country and that the independence of the Turkish judiciary should not be desecrated.
Turkish Minister of Justice Abdelhamit Gül also pointed out in a social media post that the interference of Western ambassadors in the judicial independence of Turkey is a serious "cross-border", and they should respect the laws of the host country.
On the one hand, as a member of NATO, Turkey has a special strategic position, especially in the Middle East, which is of strategic importance to the United States, and the United States and other Western countries do not want to tear their faces with Turkey.
On the other hand, for Turkey, Russia and other countries cannot replace the markets of the United States and Europe, and the Turkish economy, which has been hit hard by the epidemic, is also in urgent need of investment from the United States and Europe.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Western countries that have hit the nail will actually stop and how they will develop their relations with Turkey.
(Editor: Cui Yue, Yang Mu)
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The EU has warned Turkey of economic consequences for its Russia ties.

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Content: Erdogan received an unofficial warning from the EU about the negative consequences for the country ’ s economy due to rapprochement with Russia – media
reads: 3492
08 / 07 / 2022 09: 26 AM
Turkey, through unofficial channels, received a warning from the West about the negative consequences of rapprochement with Russia for the economy.
This writes the Financial Times, reports Espreso.tv.
The publication claims that Western capitals are concerned about the deepening of Turkish-Russian cooperation and warn Ankara that it will suffer if it helps Moscow bypass sanctions.
FT sources report that the EU is closely monitoring Turkish-Russian cooperation and is concerned that Turkey is turning into a platform for trade with Russia.
One of the interlocutors of the newspaper called Ankara ’ s behavior towards Russia very opportunistic and stressed that the Turks are trying to draw attention to these fears.
One EU official suggested that Western companies could call for an end to relations with Turkey, or cut them if relations with Russia expand.
At the same time, three sources said that Brussels has not yet had any formal discussions about the potential consequences for Turkey.
The warnings came a day after Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a long face-to-face meeting in Sochi and promised to increase bilateral trade and deepen financial ties, according to the FT.
In particular, we are talking about the agreement of Turkey to partially pay for gas with Russian rubles and to allow the use of the Russian payment system “Mir ”, when Visa and Mastercard suspended transactions with cards of citizens of the invading country.
After meeting with Putin, Erdogan said at least five Turkish banks were working to adapt to the Russian Mir payment system, which would mean an opportunity for Russians to make payments with Russian bank cards in Turkey.
- There is also the Russian payment system "Mir".
Our five banks are still working on it.
There are major changes here too.
This, of course, will be a very comfortable process for tourists coming from Russia, they will be able to make purchases and pay for hotels, ” Erdogan said.
In general, during the meeting, Putin and Erdogan agreed to expand cooperation in the field of transport, agriculture, finance and construction.
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Turkey's EU accession talks are stalled due to rule of law issues.

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Content: Turkey has been a candidate for the European Union for 24 years, the European Parliament (EU) recently released a report on Turkey, which basically once again blocked Turkey's accession to the European Union (EU), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (16) said on Saturday (16) that Ankara can "separate" from the European Union if necessary.
The report, approved earlier this week, said Turkey's accession to the 27-member European Union cannot be resumed under the current circumstances, and Erdogan called on the EU to explore "a parallel and realistic framework" for building relations with Ankara.
Turkey has been an official candidate for the European Union for 24 years, but accession talks have stalled in recent years due to EU concerns over human rights abuses and rule of law in Turkey.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his trip to the United States, Erdogan said: "The EU is trying to distance itself from Turkey.
We will carefully assess these developments and, if necessary, we can parted ways with the EU. ”
Turkey ’ s foreign ministry said earlier this week that the European Parliament ’ s report contained unfounded allegations and prejudices, taking a “shallow and far-sighted ” approach to the country ’ s relationship with the EU.
Turkey could part ways with EU if necessary, Erdogan says
# Turkey # Recep Tayyip Erdogan # EU # European Union

Erdogan has threatened to part ways with the EU and proposed a parallel framework for Turkey-EU relations.

The EU has blocked Turkey's accession over human rights concerns.

Turkey's relations with the US and EU may deteriorate due to economic troubles and Erdogan's opposition to Finland and Sweden's NATO entry and Greece's Aegean island militarization.

The US should prepare for aggravation with Ankara due to potential opposition from Erdogan.

Turkey's actions may help Russia and weaken Western cooperation.

Erdogan may scapegoat Western countries for Turkey's economic difficulties, increasing tension.

The Hagia Sophia controversy may distract from economic issues, as Erdogan's government considers converting it to a mosque to appease domestic supporters.

Title:

Content: Hagia Sophia must once again become a place of Christian worship, demands the American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia.
For a start, according to the organization, it is possible to allow liturgies in Hagia Sophia, preserving its museum status.
Although Christians still perceive this cathedral captured together with Constantinople in 1453 as one of the most important shrines.
In case of refusal, the “Council ” intends to appeal to the ECHR.
However, the situation around Hagia Sophia is much more complicated; the observer of IA REGNUM Stanislav Stremidlovsky analyzes the recent events around the former main temple of Byzantium.
Erhan Elaldı – Anadolu Agency
The 564th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople was celebrated by the Hagia Sophia as a museum.
What is the 565th anniversary?
The head of the “Council ”, American politician Chris Spirou, has already been declared a provocateur by the Turkish authorities.
Today, when Erdogan is increasingly moving away from “his overseas partners ” at least in terms of the desired image of the president, and the new owner of the White House pays much more attention to Middle Eastern Christians than Obama, the situation is clearly changing.
There are already hints that Hagia Sophia from the museum will become a mosque.
At the same time, Erdogan ’ s victory in the last referendum made the president a debtor of domestic Anatolia (at least she believes so), who gave him their votes.
The Anatolian Youth Association strongly opposes any manifestations of non-Muslim faith in Turkish society.
For three years now, they have been trying to make Hagia Sophia a mosque.
And although Erdogan is in no hurry to meet, the Association expects decisive measures from him.
Where the Turkish president is inclined and what Hagia Sophia, cathedral or mosque can become, read here: Internal Anatolia, who supported Erdogan, demands to make Hagia Sophia a mosque
Read other articles by Stanislav Stremidlovsky on the relationship of world religions.

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

The US prioritizes protecting Middle Eastern Christian minorities.

Erdogan's shift away from Western partners may harm Turkey's EU and Western relations.

The Hagia Sophia controversy highlights the complex relationship between cultural heritage and religious identity in Turkey and globally.

The site's UNESCO World Heritage designation and historical significance make it a sensitive and contested space.

Title:

Content: Turkey’s iconic Hagia Sophia mosque to charge $28 entry fee for tourists

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Turkey’s Hagia Sophia mosque began charging tourists nearly $28 on Monday for entrance to the landmark site.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its blue-tiled interior, will no longer allow free admission to foreigners, the Turkish tourism ministry announced.

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The former museum-turned mosque has a new entrance in front of the Topkapi Palace Museum open for tourists.

Tunnel entrance at Turkey's Hagia Sophia. (File photo)

The Hagia Sophia was a museum space from 1934 until 2020 when Turkey decided to change it to a mosque. Various historical reports say the mosque with byzantine architecture was an Orthodox cathedral decades ago.

“With the new application that will start on January 15 at the Hagia Sophia Mosque, tourists will be able to visit the mosque without disturbing the prayer environment,” the ministry said in a statement.

The entrance to the mosque will be “provided in a controlled manner through the tunnel and entrance ramp where visitors will be transported to the gallery floor and exited via the ramp in the northeast direction,” the statement said.

“Tourists who come to the gallery section will be able to see the sanctuary floor of the mosque and the Ottoman Period annexes, pass through the heaven-hell gate, and examine the Byzantine Period mosaics in this section,” it added.

Security cameras, fire detection and emergency announcement systems were reportedly installed in the mosque along the tour route. Cleaning and conservation work on the marble coverings and wooden railings on the gallery floor of the mosque was also carried out by restorers and conservators.

Visitors will also have access to a headset guide with QR codes where information on the sight is available in 23 languages.

People visit the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 10, 2020. (Reuters)

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The Turkish government has reimposed an entrance fee and restricted access to exert control over the site.

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Content: Foreign tourists will pay for entrance to Hagia Sophia
Society
Photo: [© RIA Novosti / Pavel Bednyakov]
From January 15, the entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul will be paid for foreign tourists, Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy said.
For Turkish citizens visiting the mosque for worship, admission will remain free.
The first church on the site of the current temple was built under Emperor Constantine.
In the sixth century, it burned down, and the emperor Justinian ordered the construction of a new temple, which remained the largest Christian cathedral until the construction of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.
After the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans, the Christian shrine was turned into a mosque.
In 1932, Hagia Sophia became a museum, and the entrance to it was paid, until recently it was 72 liras (about 500 rubles).
In 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned the temple to the status of a mosque, and it could be visited for free.

Headsets in 23 languages have been implemented to cater to the site's diverse tourist group.

Restoration work and new security systems have improved the tourist experience.

Covering the mosaics and frescoes during prayer times is a compromise between the site's religious and cultural significance.

The Anatolian Youth Association played a key role in Hagia Sophia's conversion into a mosque.

The American Council for the Liberation of Hagia Sophia demands the site be returned to its former museum status.

No--In 1934, Ataturk turned it into a museum, making it a major tourist attraction and secular symbol in Turkey.

The Pope and Orthodox Patriarch have expressed dismay over Hagia Sophia's conversion into a mosque.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The first prayer at the site was attended by 1000-1500 people, with COVID-19 quarantine measures in place.

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

The Turkish court's ruling that the 1934 conversion was illegal led to the site's reconversion into a mosque.

Foreign tourists pay €25 to enter, while Turkish citizens enter for free.

Title:

Content: Entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul will be paid for foreign tourists
Entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul from January 15 will be paid for foreign tourists.
This is reported by RIA Novosti.
According to the agency, such a measure will be taken three and a half years after the transformation of the museum into a religious object.
It is noted that a ticket to Hagia Sophia will cost €25.
For Turkish citizens, the entrance will be free.
In 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree changing the status of Hagia Sophia to a mosque.
He later stated that changing the status of Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia) in Istanbul is a step towards greater Turkey.
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Entrance fees will fund cultural asset preservation.

The site's new management plan aims to improve visiting hours, safety, and visitor density.

The site information will be provided in 16 languages.

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