Another historical museum in Turkey turned into a mosque
Another historical museum in Turkey turned into a mosque
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the conversion of another historically significant building, the Chora Museum, into a mosque.
Built in the Byzantine period in the sixth century, the building was actually a church that was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453.
Like Aya Sofia in 1945, Chora was converted from a mosque into a museum by the then Turkish government, but Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan promised in his election campaign to restore it as a mosque.
According to the Turkish News Agency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan has issued a decree revoking the decision of the Turkish Cabinet made 75 years ago.
The decision to convert the Chora Museum into a mosque has been widely criticized in the European media, with Tayyip Erdogan calling it a ploy to gain more support from Turkish nationalists and religious thinkers.
The decision has further escalated tensions between Turkey and Greece, with the Greek foreign minister calling it a provocation by the Turkish government.
Reacting to the Greek Foreign Minister’s statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman said that whether it is the Karia Mosque or the Grand Mosque, whether it is Sophia or other historical assets on our land, they all belong to Turkey and are our assets.
The spokesman added that the change in the status of the Chora Museum does not violate UNESCO rules on the protection of world cultural heritage.
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