Biden calls on Erdogan to reverse decision to turn Hagia Sophia into mosque

Joe Biden and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: twitter.com/molodyko

U.S. presidential candidate from the Democratic Party Joe Biden called on Turkish President Recep Erdogan to reverse his decision to turn the Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque, reports “The National Herald”.

According to Biden, “the Hagia Sophia is an architectural marvel and treasured holy site for people of many faiths. For the last 85 years, the Hagia Sophia has been a museum, allowing people from around the world to visit, admire, and pray in this holy space, which since 1985 has also had the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site”.

The Democratic presidential nominee wrote that he deeply regretted the Turkish government’s decision to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque and urged Turkish President Recep Erdogan to reverse his decision and instead “keep this treasured place in its current status as a museum, ensuring equal access for all”.

As reported earlier, The U.S. Department of State is disappointed with Turkey’s decision to change the museum status of the Hagia Sophia.

 

Read also

WCC Demands 'Protection' for St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

The WCC also passed resolutions on the Armenian Genocide and the terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus.

Russian Orthodox Church Provides Aid to Earthquake Victims

Volunteers from the Petropavlovsk and Kamchatka Diocese are providing food and aid at the Holy Trinity Cathedral’s humanitarian warehouse to support residents affected by a powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake in Kamchatka.

Serbian Patriarch Slams 'Undemocratic' Ruling Against Republika Srpska Leader

Patrarch Porfirije condemned the verdict as "unlawful and undemocratic." He is a vocal supporter of autonomy for Bosnian Serbs.

UOC House Church Set Ablaze in Khmelnytskyi Region

Police have identified the arsonist.

World's Most Premature Baby Celebrates First Birthday

Iowa NICU defies “impossible” odds to save boy born at 21 weeks.

Court Extends Detention of Metropolitan Arseny by Two Months — Again

Defense Prepares Appeal as Legal Irregularities Surround Continued Imprisonment of UOC Hierarch