Islamic prayers take place at historic Hagia Sophia

22 June, 2017

Press Release No: 17/24
22 June 2017
Brussels

Yesterday the president of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey Mehmet Görmez took part in Islamic prayers at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which were also broadcast on state television. First built as a Christian church, then later converted to a mosque, Hagia Sophia was opened as a museum in 1935 following orders from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish republic. As a musuem, no prayers in any tradition have been held there since 1935.

The Conference of European Churches is alarmed by the prospect of using one of humanity’s greatest cultural and religious shrines for political purposes. The historic Hagia Sophia served as the spiritial centre of Eastern Christianity for over 1,000 years. Later, as a mosque, it was a place for prayer and reflection according to the Islamic faith. Its distinctive silhoutte still dominates the Istanbul skyline today, drawing thousands of Muslims, Christians, and people of other convictions and faiths to discover the rich layers of human history held in this building. The Hagia Sophia museum remains a great symbol of the modern Republic of Turkey, which guaratees freedom of religion or belief to its citizens and cherishes its irreplaceable cultural heritage.

Istanbul and its nation home lie at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and as such are instrumental in preserving peace among political blocs and civilisations. The Conference of European Churches urges Turkish authorities to assure the continuation of this historic and unique role.

Erin Green
Communication Coordinator
Conference of European Churches
Rue Joseph II, 174 B-1000 Brussels
Tel. +32 2 234 68 42
Fax +32 2 231 14 13
E-mail: eeg@cec-kek.be
Website: www.ceceurope.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ceceurope
Twitter: @ceceurope

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of 115 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 National Councils of Churches and Organisations in Partnership. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Brussels and Strasbourg.
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