Theresa Villiers MP urges UK Government to condemn decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque
The MP for Chipping Barnet in north London, Theresa Villiers, has called on the UK Government to condemn President Erdogan’s decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
The Hagia Sophia cathedral was built in the sixth century BC by the Emperor Justinian, opening in 537. After the fall of Byzanitium to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, it became a mosque. In 1934, the Turkish Government turned it into a museum as part of its commitment to secularism.
The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and there has been widespread condemnation of President Erdogan’s announcement that Muslim prayers would start there on 24th July.
Representing a constituency which is home to a significant number of British Cypriots, Theresa Villiers has a long-standing interest in Greek culture.
Responding to the news about Hagia Sophia, Ms Villiers said:
(CNA)
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The Hagia Sophia cathedral was built in the sixth century BC by the Emperor Justinian, opening in 537. After the fall of Byzanitium to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, it became a mosque. In 1934, the Turkish Government turned it into a museum as part of its commitment to secularism.
The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and there has been widespread condemnation of President Erdogan’s announcement that Muslim prayers would start there on 24th July.
Representing a constituency which is home to a significant number of British Cypriots, Theresa Villiers has a long-standing interest in Greek culture.
Responding to the news about Hagia Sophia, Ms Villiers said:
(CNA)
*The full text of the news item is available in the paid version of the CNA web service. Subscription Form
*CNA reserves the copyright to the news stories it files, which is granted to subscribers for specific use only.
from Cyprus News Agency
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