Following the Turkish government's rapid decisions this month to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF) insists that places of worship should not be used “in a way that could contribute to segregation and discrimination.”
In a letter, its general secretary Abdel Salem, recognized “the cultural and spiritual value of the Hagia Sophia for humanity all over the world.”
The leader of this interfaith committee started in 2019 by Pope Francis and the Iman of Al Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, also stressed the need to avoid any steps that could erode interreligious dialogue and cross-cultural communication.
On Twitter, President Erdogan shared posts as well as this promotional video, revealing the latest developments of the Hagia Sophia transformation.
One of his latest tweets states “Hagia Sophia ... Let the winds be blown away in the dome. You are always ours; we are yours...”
The conversion of the Hagia Sophia is due to be completed ahead of Muslim Friday Prayers this week.
KM
