Hagia Sophia to be Converted into a Mosque: Lenta

The State Council of Turkey has unanimously decided to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque. This was reported by journalist Ragip Soylu on Twitter, citing sources from the government.

The State Council, Turkey's highest administrative body, announced during a 17-minute meeting held on July 2 that a final decision would be made within 15 days.

It is worth noting that there have been statements and calls from various entities, including the U.S. State Department, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Greece, and the State Duma, urging against the conversion of Hagia Sophia.

The Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul has suggested that Christian and Islamic prayers should be held together in Hagia Sophia.

Constructed in the 6th century under the orders of Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was proclaimed a museum by the Turkish government in 1934. The site was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

It is also remembered that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has instructed the conversion of the famous Byzantine Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) into a mosque, revoking its museum status.