Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The move by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to formally convert Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque within hours of a controversial high court’s decision has drawn global condemnation, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation leading the charge.

Denouncing the Turkish action, UNESCO said on Friday that it “deeply” regrets Turkey’s decision to restore the mosque status of the former Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul.

“The Director-General of UNESCO deeply regrets the decision of the Turkish authorities, made without prior discussion, to change the status of Hagia Sophia”, the UNESCO said in a statement.

The statement added that the UNESCO chief expressed her serious concerns to the Turkish envoy to the institution.

UNESCO said that it is also concerned about the preservation of the former basilica, whose construction was completed in 537.

“It is important to avoid any implementing measure which would not be previously discussed with UNESCO and which would have consequences on physical access, on the structure of the building, on movable property and on the management method of the site,” Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO deputy director-general for culture, was quoted as saying in the statement.

UNESCO indicates that the state of conservation of the monument will be examined by the World Heritage Committee at its next session.

Commenting on the move, the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called it "regrettable".

"The ruling by the Turkish Council of State to overturn one of modern Turkey's landmark decisions and President Erdogan's decision to place the monument under the management of the Religious Affairs Presidency is regrettable," the EU leader said in a statement.

The United States also denounced the Turkish decision, saying: "We are disappointed by the decision by the government of Turkey to change the status of the Hagia Sophia," Morgan Ortagus, State Department spokesperson, said in a statement.

Neighboring Greece reacted strongly and branded Turkey's move an "open provocation to the civilized world".

"The nationalism displayed by Erdogan ... takes his country back six centuries," Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement.

The court ruling "absolutely confirms that there is no independent justice" in Turkey, Mendoni added in the statement.

Russia also slammed the move, calling the action "a mistake".

"Turning it into a mosque will not do anything for the Muslim world. It does not bring nations together, but on the contrary, brings them into collision," Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy head of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian upper house of parliament, said.