Editing Hagia Sophia (section)

===Reversion to mosque (2018–present)===
[[File:Hagia sophia prayer room exterior.jpg|thumb|A small Muslim prayer room (''mescit'') in the Hagia Sophia complex, 2020]][[File:AyasofyaiKebir.jpg|225px|thumb|The plate placed on the day of its reversion to mosque in 2020]]

Since 2018, [[Turkish president]] [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] had talked of reverting the status of the Hagia Sophia back to a mosque, as a populist gesture.<ref name="nytime revert mosque">{{cite news |last=Gall |first=Carlotta |date=10 July 2020 |title=Turkish Court Clears Way for Hagia Sophia to Be Used as a Mosque Again |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/world/europe/hagia-sophia-mosque-turkey.html |access-date=10 July 2020 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> On 31 March 2018 Erdoğan recited the first verse of the [[Quran]] in the Hagia Sophia, dedicating the prayer to the "souls of all who left us this work as inheritance, especially Istanbul's [[Mehmed the Conqueror|conqueror]]," strengthening the political movement to make the Hagia Sophia a mosque once again.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-president-erdogan-recites-islamic-prayer-at-the-hagia-sophia-129594 |title=Turkish President Erdoğan recites Islamic prayer at the Hagia Sophia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124001145/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-president-erdogan-recites-islamic-prayer-at-the-hagia-sophia-129594 |archive-date=24 January 2020 |website=Hürriyet|date=April 2018 }}</ref> In March 2019 Erdoğan said that he would change the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hagia-sophias-status-to-be-changed-to-mosque-erdogan-142230 |title=Hagia Sophia's status to be changed to mosque: Erdoğan |work=Hürriyet}}</ref> adding that it had been a "very big mistake" to turn it into a museum.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/28/hagia-sophia-controversy-as-erdogan-says-museum-and-former-cathedral-will-become-a-mosque |title=Hagia Sophia: Controversy as Erdogan says museum and former cathedral will become a mosque |work=Euronews}}</ref> As a UNESCO World Heritage site, this change would require approval from UNESCO's [[World Heritage Committee]].<ref>{{cite news |title=UNESCO "halts" Erdogan's plans to turn the Hagia Sophia into Mosque |url=https://dailyhellas.com/2019/03/27/unesco-halts-erdogans-plans-to-turn-the-hagia-sophia-into-mosque/ |website=Daily Hellas |access-date=10 April 2019 |date=27 March 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406134721/https://dailyhellas.com/2019/03/27/unesco-halts-erdogans-plans-to-turn-the-hagia-sophia-into-mosque/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> In late 2019 Erdoğan's office took over the administration and upkeep of the nearby [[Topkapı Palace Museum]], transferring responsibility for the site from the [[Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Turkey)|Ministry of Culture and Tourism]] by presidential decree.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Milli Gazete {{!}} Erdoğan Administration Takes Control Of Istanbul's Historic Topkapı Palace |url=http://en.milligazete.com.tr/erdogan_administration_takes_control_of_istanbul%E2%80%99s_historic_topkapi_palace/8479 |access-date=2020-08-02 |website=en.milligazete.com.tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Erdoğan administration takes control of Istanbul's historic Topkapı Palace |url=https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-politics/erdogan-administration-takes-control-istanbuls-historic-topkapi-palace |access-date=2020-08-02 |website=Ahval |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Erdoğan |first=Recep Tayyip |date=2019-09-06 |title=Presidential Decree |url=https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2019/09/20190906-1.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2019/09/20190906-1.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=Resmî Gazete |language=tr}}</ref>

In 2020, Turkey's government celebrated the 567th anniversary of the Conquest of Constantinople with an Islamic prayer in Hagia Sophia.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Turkey goes back to the future as Hagia Sophia set for Islamic prayers |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/quran-recitation-conquest-hagia-sophia-istanbul |access-date=2020-07-11 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref> In May, during the anniversary events, passages from the Quran were read in the Hagia Sophia. Greece condemned this action, while Turkey in response accused Greece of making "futile and ineffective statements".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Turkey refutes Greece on Quran session in Hagia Sophia – Turkey News |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-refutes-greece-on-quran-session-in-hagia-sophia-155209 |access-date=2020-07-11 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |language=en}}</ref>
In June, the head of Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs said that "we would be very happy to open Hagia Sophia for worship" and that if it happened "we will provide our religious services as we do in all our mosques".<ref name="Turkish politics Hurriyet" /> On 25 June, [[John Haldon]], president of the [[International Association of Byzantine Studies]], wrote an open letter to Erdoğan asking that he "consider the value of keeping the Aya Sofya as a museum".<ref name="Mariev-2020">{{Cite web |title=Byzantine News, Issue 33, July 2020 |url=https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?u=719696e03a73ee3361188422f&id=7ec7740295 |access-date=2020-07-25 |website=us17.campaign-archive.com}}</ref>

On 10 July 2020, the decision of the Council of Ministers from 1935 to transform the Hagia Sophia into a museum was annulled by the Council of State, decreeing that Hagia Sophia cannot be used "for any other purpose" than being a mosque and that the Hagia Sophia was property of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han Foundation. The council reasoned Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, who conquered Istanbul, deemed the property to be used by the public as a mosque without any fees and was not within the jurisdiction of the Parliament or a ministry council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Making the Hagia Sophia a mosque is a political slap in the face for the West |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/10/making-hagia-sophia-mosque-political-slap-face-west/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/10/making-hagia-sophia-mosque-political-slap-face-west/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=7 July 2020 |website=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Turkish court rules 1934 conversion of Hagia Sophia into museum illegal |url=https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkish-court-rules-1934-conversion-of-hagia-sophia-into-museum-illegal-38028 |access-date=2021-07-25 |website=Turkish court rules 1934 conversion of Hagia Sophia into museum illegal |language=en}}</ref> Despite secular and global criticism, Erdoğan signed a decree annulling the Hagia Sophia's museum status, reverting it to a mosque.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ayasofya-camii/ayasofyayi-camiden-muzeye-donusturen-bakanlar-kurulu-kararina-iptal-/1906077|title=Ayasofya'yı camiden müzeye dönüştüren Bakanlar Kurulu kararı iptal edildi|website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref><ref name="BBC News-2020">{{Cite news |date=2020-07-10 |title=Turkey turns iconic Istanbul museum into mosque |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53366307 |access-date=2020-07-11}}</ref> The call to prayer was broadcast from the minarets shortly after the announcement of the change and rebroadcast by major Turkish news networks.<ref name="BBC News-2020" /> A presidential spokesperson said it would become a working mosque, open to anyone similar to the [[Paris]]ian churches [[Sacré-Cœur, Paris|Sacré-Cœur]] and [[Notre-Dame de Paris|Notre-Dame]]. The spokesperson also said that the change would not affect the status of the Hagia Sophia as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and that "Christian [[icon]]s" within it would continue to be protected.<ref name="nytime revert mosque" />

A presidential spokesperson claimed that all political parties in Turkey supported Erdoğan's decision,<ref name="Hagia Sophia icons">{{cite news |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hagia-sophia-icons-to-be-preserved-presidential-spokesperson-156476 |title=Hagia Sophia icons to be preserved: Presidential spokesperson |date=12 July 2020 |access-date=12 July 2020 |work=hurriyetdailynews}}</ref> but the [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|Peoples' Democratic Party]] had previously released a statement denouncing the decision, saying "decisions on human heritage cannot be made on the basis of political games played by the government".<ref>{{Cite news |title=İnsanlık mirasına dair kararlar iktidarın politik oyunlarına göre alınamaz |trans-title=Decisions on human heritage cannot be made on the basis of political games played by the government |url=https://www.hdp.org.tr/tr/insanlik-mirasina-dair-kararlar-iktidarin-politik-oyunlarina-gore-alinamaz/14440 |access-date=2020-07-12 |website=www.hdp.org.tr |language=tr}}</ref> The [[mayor of Istanbul]], [[Ekrem İmamoğlu]], said that he supports the conversion "as long as it benefits Turkey", adding that he felt that Hagia Sophia has been a mosque since 1453.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-mayor-supports-hagia-sophia-conversion-move-as-long-as-it-benefits-turkey-156527 |title=Istanbul mayor supports Hagia Sophia conversion move, 'as long as it benefits Turkey' |date=13 July 2020 |access-date=13 July 2020 |work=hurriyetdailynews}}</ref> [[Ali Babacan]] attacked the policy of his former ally Erdoğan, saying the Hagia Sophia issue "has come to the agenda now only to cover up other problems".<ref name="BBC News-2020b">{{Cite news |date=2020-07-24 |title=Hagia Sophia opens to Muslims for Friday prayers |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53506445 |access-date=2020-07-24}}</ref> [[Orhan Pamuk]], Turkish [[novelist]] and [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Nobel laureate]], publicly denounced the move, saying "Kemal Atatürk changed... Hagia Sophia from a mosque to a museum, honouring all previous Greek Orthodox and Latin Catholic history, making it as a sign of Turkish modern secularism".<ref name="BBC News-2020" /><ref name="BBC News-2020c">{{Cite news |date=2020-07-24 |title=First Friday prayers at Hagia Sophia for 86 years |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53506445 |access-date=2020-07-25}}</ref>

On 17 July, Erdoğan announced that the first prayers in the Hagia Sophia would be open to between 1,000 and 1,500 worshippers, stating that Turkey had [[sovereignty|sovereign power]] over Hagia Sophia and was not obligated to bend to international opinion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cagatay Zontur |first=Erdogan |date=2020-07-17 |title=Hagia Sophia a matter of Turkey's sovereignty: Erdogan |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/hagia-sophia-a-matter-of-turkeys-sovereignty-erdogan/1913812}}</ref>

While the Hagia Sophia has now been rehallowed as a mosque, the place remains open for visitors outside of prayer times. Entrance was initially free,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian tourists to benefit from Hagia Sophia status change |url=https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/russian-tourists-to-benefit-from-hagia-sophia-status-change-38201 |access-date=2021-07-25 |website=Russian tourists to benefit from Hagia Sophia status change |language=en}}</ref> but starting from 15 January 2024, foreign nationals have to pay an entrance fee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foreign visitors to pay entrance fee at Hagia Sophia|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/foreign-visitors-to-pay-entrance-fee-at-hagia-sophia-187507 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=hurriyetdailynews |date=November 2023 |language=en| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101204601/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/foreign-visitors-to-pay-entrance-fee-at-hagia-sophia-187507|archive-date=2023-11-01}}</ref>

On 22 July, a turquoise-coloured carpet was laid to prepare the mosque for worshippers.<ref name="BBC News-2020b" /> The mosque opened for [[Friday prayer]]s on 24 July, the 97th anniversary of the signature of the [[Treaty of Lausanne]], which established the borders of the modern Turkish Republic.<ref name="BBC News-2020b" /> The mosaics of the Virgin and Child in the apse were covered by white drapes.<ref name="BBC News-2020c" /> [[Ali Erbaş]], President of the [[Directorate of Religious Affairs]], proclaimed during his [[sermon]], "Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror dedicated this magnificent construction to believers to remain a mosque until the [[Day of Resurrection]]".<ref name="BBC News-2020c" /> Erdoğan and some government ministers attended the midday prayers as many worshippers prayed outside; at one point the security cordon was breached and dozens of people broke through police lines.<ref name="BBC News-2020c" /> Turkey invited foreign leaders and officials, including [[Pope Francis]], for the prayers.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 July 2020 |title=Erdoğan invites Pope Francis to the inauguration of Hagia Sophia Mosque |work=romereports |url=https://www.romereports.com/en/2020/07/22/erdogan-invites-pope-francis-to-the-inauguration-of-hagia-sophia-mosque/ |access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> It is the fourth Byzantine church converted from museum to a mosque during Erdoğan's rule.<ref name="Gall">{{cite news |last1=Gall |first1=Carlotta |date=15 July 2020 |title=Erdogan Signs Decree Allowing Hagia Sophia to Be Used as a Mosque Again |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/world/europe/hagia-sophia-erdogan.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711000651/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/world/europe/hagia-sophia-erdogan.html |archive-date=2020-07-11 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=17 July 2020}}</ref>

[[File:AgiaSofia0323.jpeg|thumb|Hagia Sophia in 2023]]
Days before the final decision on the conversion was made, Ecumenical Patriarch [[Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Bartholomew&nbsp;I of Constantinople]] stated in a sermon that "the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque would disappoint millions of Christians around the world".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew about Hagia Sophia |url=https://www.ecupatria.org/2020/06/30/ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-about-hagia-sophia/ |website=www.ecupatria.org/ |date=30 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Orthodox Patriarch says turning Istanbul's Hagia Sophia into mosque would be divisive |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-museum-preview/orthodox-patriarch-says-turning-istanbuls-hagia-sophia-into-mosque-would-be-divisive-idUSKBN24130F |work=[[Reuters]] |date=30 June 2020}}</ref> The proposed conversion was decried by other Orthodox Christian leaders, the [[Russian Orthodox Church]]'s [[Patriarch Kirill of Moscow]] stating that "a threat to Hagia Sophia [wa]s a threat to all of Christian civilization".<ref>{{cite web |title=Заявление Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла в связи с ситуацией относительно Святой Софии |url=http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/5659210.html |website=www.patriarchia.ru |date=6 July 2020 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Russian church leader says calls to turn Hagia Sophia into mosque threaten Christianity |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-museum-russia/russian-church-leader-says-calls-to-turn-hagia-sophia-into-mosque-threaten-christianity-idUSKBN2471C7 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=6 July 2020}}</ref>

Following the Turkish government's decision, UNESCO announced it "deeply regret[ted]" the conversion "made without prior discussion", and asked Turkey to "open a dialogue without delay", stating that the lack of negotiation was "regrettable".<ref name="UNESCO-2020">{{cite web |date=2020-07-10 |title=UNESCO statement on Hagia Sophia, Istanbul |url=https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-statement-hagia-sophia-istanbul |access-date=2020-07-11 |website=UNESCO |language=en}}</ref><ref name="BBC News-2020" /> UNESCO further announced that the "state of conservation" of Hagia Sophia would be "examined" at the next session of the [[World Heritage Committee]], urging Turkey "to initiate dialogue without delay, in order to prevent any detrimental effect on the universal value of this exceptional heritage".<ref name="UNESCO-2020" /> [[Ernesto Ottone]], UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Culture said "It is important to avoid any implementing measure, without prior discussion with UNESCO, that would affect physical access to the site, the structure of the buildings, the site's moveable property, or the site's management".<ref name="UNESCO-2020" />

The [[World Council of Churches]] condemned the decision to convert the building into a mosque, saying that would "inevitably create uncertainties, suspicions and mistrust".<ref name="WCCletter">{{cite news |title=WCC letter to President Erdogan to keep Hagia Sophia as the shared heritage of humanity |website=www.oikoumene.org |url=https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-urges-in-open-letter-to-president-erdogan-to-keep-hagia-sophia-as-the-shared-heritage-of-humanity/ |date=11 July 2020 |access-date=2020-07-25 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724034358/https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-urges-in-open-letter-to-president-erdogan-to-keep-hagia-sophia-as-the-shared-heritage-of-humanity/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news |date=11 July 2020 |title=Church body wants Hagia Sophia decision reversed |language=en |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53375739 |access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="AP News-2020">{{cite news |date=2020-07-11 |title=World Council of Churches "dismayed" at Hagia Sophia shift |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/8b9c752fa53b5c5ce21d8a29d87b276e |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> At the recitation of the Sunday [[Angelus]] prayer at [[St Peter's Square]] on 12 July [[Pope Francis]] said, "My thoughts go to Istanbul. I think of Santa Sophia and I am very pained" ({{Langx|it|Penso a Santa Sofia, a Istanbul, e sono molto addolorato}}).{{efn|Also translated: "I think of Hagia Sophia and I am very saddened."<ref name="Vaticannews">{{cite news |title=Pope Francis: 'I think of Hagia Sophia, and I am very saddened' |website=www.vaticannews.va |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-07/angelus-pope-remembers-seafarers.html |date=12 July 2020 |access-date=2020-07-25}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Papa: "Penso a Santa Sofia e sono molto addolorato" |url=https://www.lapresse.it/vaticano/papa_penso_a_santa_sofia_e_sono_molto_addolorato_-2780771/video/2020-07-12/ |access-date=2020-07-26 |agency=[[LaPresse]] |language=it}}</ref><ref name="BBC2020">{{cite news |date=12 July 2020 |title=Pope 'pained' by Hagia Sophia mosque decision |language=en |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53371341 |access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Caliph Abdülmecid on his rout to be enthroned.jpg|left|thumb|[[Abdulmejid II]] ({{Reign|1922|1924}}), the last [[Ottoman caliph]], passing Hagia Sophia on the way to his coronation.]]
[[Josep Borrell]], the [[European Union]]'s [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy|High Representative for Foreign Affairs]] and [[Vice-President of the European Commission]], released a statement calling the decisions by the Council of State and Erdoğan "regrettable" and pointing out that "as a founding member of the [[Alliance of Civilizations|Alliance of Civilisations]], Turkey has committed to the promotion of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and to fostering of tolerance and co-existence."<ref>{{cite web |title=Turkey: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the decision regarding Hagia Sophia |url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/82728/turkey-statement-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-decision-regarding-hagia_en |access-date=2020-07-17 |website=EEAS – European External Action Service – European Commission |language=en}}</ref> According to Borrell, the [[European Union Member States|European Union member states]]' twenty-seven foreign ministers "condemned the Turkish decision to convert such an emblematic monument as the Hagia Sophia" at meeting on 13 July, saying it "will inevitably fuel the mistrust, promote renewed division between religious communities and undermine our efforts at dialog and cooperation" and that "there was a broad support to call on the Turkish authorities to urgently reconsider and reverse this decision".<ref>{{cite news |last=Stearns |first=Jonathan |date=2020-07-13 |title=EU Urges Turkey to 'Reverse' Hagia Sophia Reconversion Plan |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-13/eu-urges-turkey-to-reverse-hagia-sophia-reconversion-plan |access-date=2020-07-17 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Casert |first1=Raf |last2=Fraser |first2=Suzan |last3=Gatopoulos |first3=Derek |date=2020-07-13 |title=EU, Turkey clash over Hagia Sophia, Mediterranean drilling |url=https://apnews.com/3017394f54b5ecc13fc13384a7cfb110 |access-date=2020-07-17 |website=AP NEWS}}</ref>

[[Greece]] denounced the conversion and considered it a breach of the UNESCO World Heritage titling.<ref name="nytime revert mosque" /> Greek culture minister Lina Mendoni called it an "open provocation to the civilised world" which "absolutely confirms that there is no independent justice" in Erdoğan's Turkey, and that his [[Turkish nationalism]] "takes his country back six centuries".<ref name="AJ2020">{{cite news |date=10 July 2020 |title=World reacts to Turkey reconverting Hagia Sophia into a mosque |language=en |work=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/world-reacts-turkey-reconverting-hagia-sophia-mosque-200710135637861.html |access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref> Greece and [[Cyprus]] called for EU sanctions on Turkey.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 July 2020 |title=Greece pushes for sanctions against Turkey, but EU insists on dialogue |work=EURACTIV |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/greece-pushes-for-sanctions-against-turkey-but-eu-insists-on-dialogue/ |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> [[Morgan Ortagus]], the [[spokesperson for the United States Department of State]], noted: "We are disappointed by the decision by the government of Turkey to change the status of the Hagia Sophia."<ref name="AJ2020" /> [[Jean-Yves Le Drian]], [[Foreign minister of France|foreign minister]] of [[France]], said his country "deplores" the move, saying "these decisions cast doubt on one of the most symbolic acts of modern and secular Turkey".<ref name="AP News-2020" />

Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy head of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian [[Federation Council (Russia)|Federation Council]], said that it "will not do anything for the Muslim world. It does not bring nations together, but on the contrary brings them into collision" and calling the move a "mistake".<ref name="AJ2020" /> The former [[Deputy Prime Minister of Italy|deputy prime minister of Italy]], [[Matteo Salvini]], held a demonstration in protest outside the Turkish consulate in [[Milan]], calling for all plans for [[accession of Turkey to the European Union]] to be terminated "once and for all".<ref name="Kucukgocmen-2020">{{Cite news |last1=Kucukgocmen |first1=Ali |last2=Butler |first2=Daren |date=2020-07-13 |title=Turkey will cover Hagia Sophia mosaics during prayers – ruling party spokesman |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-museum-idUSKCN24E12Y |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> In [[East Jerusalem]], a protest was held outside the Turkish consulate on 13 July, with the burning of a [[Turkish flag]] and the display of the [[Greek flag]] and [[flag of the Greek Orthodox Church]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Firat |first=Esat |date=2020-07-13 |title=Israeli group burns Turkish flag over Hagia Sophia move |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-group-burns-turkish-flag-over-hagia-sophia-move/1909334 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref>

[[Ersin Tatar]], prime minister of the Turkish Republic of [[Northern Cyprus]], which is [[List of states with limited recognition|recognized only by Turkey]], welcomed the decision, calling it "sound" and "pleasing".<ref name="Aytekin-2020">{{Cite news |last=Aytekin |first=Emre |date=2020-07-11 |title=Northern Cyprus content with Hagia Sophia decision |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/northern-cyprus-content-with-hagia-sophia-decision/1906707 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref><ref name="AJ2020" /> Through a spokesman the [[Foreign Ministry of Iran|Foreign Ministry]] of [[Iran]] welcomed the change, saying the decision was an "issue that should be considered as part of Turkey's national sovereignty" and "Turkey's internal affair".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kursun |first1=Muhammet |last2=Salari |first2=Elaheh |date=2020-07-13 |title=Iran praises Turkey's reopening of Hagia Sophia mosque |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/-iran-praises-turkey-s-reopening-of-hagia-sophia-mosque/1909036 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> [[Sergei Vershinin]], deputy foreign minister of [[Russia]], said that the matter was of one of "internal affairs, in which, of course, neither we nor others should interfere."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Teslova |first=Elena |date=2020-07-13 |title=Russia: Hagia Sophia status 'Turkey's internal affair' |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/russia-hagia-sophia-status-turkeys-internal-affair/1908520}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why did Moscow call Ankara's Hagia Sophia decision "Turkey's internal affair"? |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/why-did-moscow-call-ankaras-hagia-sophia-decision-turkeys-internal-affair |access-date=2021-04-14 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}}</ref> The [[Arab Maghreb Union]] was supportive.<ref name="Yusuf-2020">{{Cite news |last1=Yusuf |first1=Ahmed |last2=Asmar |first2=Ahmed |date=2020-07-13 |title=Arabs hail Turkey's reopening of Hagia Sophia mosque |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/arabs-hail-turkey-s-reopening-of-hagia-sophia-mosque/1908596 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref>

Ekrema Sabri, imam of the [[Qibli Mosque|al-Aqsa Mosque]], and [[Ahmed bin Hamad al-Khalili]], grand mufti of [[Oman]], both congratulated Turkey on the move.<ref name="Yusuf-2020" /> The [[Muslim Brotherhood]] was also in favour of the news.<ref name="Yusuf-2020" /> A spokesman for the Palestinian [[Islamism|Islamist]] movement [[Hamas]] called the verdict "a proud moment for all Muslims".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yildiz |first=Hamdi |date=2020-07-11 |title=Hamas movement supports Hagia Sophia decision |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/hamas-movement-supports-hagia-sophia-decision/1906747 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> Pakistani politician [[Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi]] of the [[Pakistan Muslim League (Q)]] welcomed the ruling, claiming it was "not only in accordance with the wishes of the people of Turkey but the entire Muslim world".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Latif |first=Aamir |date=2020-07-11 |title=Pakistani lawmaker hails Turkey's Hagia Sophia move |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistani-lawmaker-hails-turkeys-hagia-sophia-move/1907420 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> The [[Muslim Judicial Council]] group in [[South Africa]] praised the move, calling it "a historic turning point".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kavak |first=Gokhan |date=2020-07-13 |title=South African Muslims hail Turkey's Hagia Sophia move |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/south-african-muslims-hail-turkeys-hagia-sophia-move/1909390 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> In [[Nouakchott]], capital of [[Mauritania]], there were prayers and celebrations topped by the sacrifice of a [[Dromedary|camel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Erdem |first=Omer |date=2020-07-11 |title=Mauritania rejoices opening of Hagia Sophia as mosque |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/mauritania-rejoices-opening-of-hagia-sophia-as-mosque/1906729 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> On the other hand, [[Shawki Allam]], grand mufti of [[Egypt]], ruled that conversion of the Hagia Sophia to a mosque is "impermissible".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/7/18/turkeys-hagia-sophia-mosque-conversion-forbidden-egypt-mufti |title=Mufti of Egypt says Turkey's Hagia Sophia mosque conversion is 'forbidden' |work=alaraby |date=18 July 2020}}</ref>

When President Erdoğan announced that the first Muslim prayers would be held inside the building on 24 July, he added that "like all our mosques, the doors of Hagia Sophia will be wide open to locals and foreigners, Muslims and non-Muslims." Presidential spokesman [[İbrahim Kalın]] said that the icons and mosaics of the building would be preserved, and that "in regards to the arguments of secularism, religious tolerance and coexistence, there are more than four hundred churches and synagogues open in Turkey today."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kara Aydin |first=Havva |date=2020-07-11 |title=Turkish spokesman: Hagia Sophia icons to be preserved |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-spokesman-hagia-sophia-icons-to-be-preserved/1907450 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> The Turkish foreign minister, [[Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu]], told [[TRT Haber]] on 13 July that the government was surprised at the reaction of UNESCO, saying that "We have to protect our ancestors' heritage. The function can be this way or that way – it does not matter".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kucukgocmen |first1=Ali |last2=Butler |first2=Daren |date=2020-07-13 |title=Turkey will inform UNESCO about Hagia Sophia moves – minister |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/turkey-museum-idUKI7N2DM00Z |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717210704/https://uk.reuters.com/article/turkey-museum-idUKI7N2DM00Z |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2020 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref>

On 14 July the prime minister of Greece, [[Kyriakos Mitsotakis]], said his government was "considering its response at all levels" to what he called Turkey's "unnecessary, petty initiative", and that "with this backward action, Turkey is opting to sever links with [[western world]] and its values".<ref name="Kambas-2020">{{Cite news |last=Kambas |first=Michele |date=2020-07-14 |title=Greece says Turkey is being 'petty' over Hagia Sophia |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-museum-greece-eu-idUSKCN24F1JZ |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref> In relation to both Hagia Sophia and the [[Cyprus–Turkey maritime zones dispute]], Mitsotakis called for European sanctions against Turkey, referring to it as "a regional troublemaker, and which is evolving into a threat to the stability of the whole south-east Mediterranean region".<ref name="Kambas-2020" /> [[Dora Bakoyannis]], Greek former foreign minister, said Turkey's actions had "crossed the Rubicon", distancing itself from the West.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Koutantou |first1=Angeliki |last2=Maltezou |first2=Renee |last3=Kambas |first3=Michele |date=2020-07-10 |title=Greece condemns Turkey's decision to convert Hagia Sophia into mosque |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-museum-verdict-greece-idUKKBN24B2U5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717200401/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-museum-verdict-greece-idUKKBN24B2U5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2020 |access-date=2020-07-17}}</ref>

Armenia's Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" about the move, adding that it brought to a close Hagia Sophia's symbolism of "cooperation and unity of humankind instead of clash of civilizations."<ref>{{cite web |title=Comment by the Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia on changing the status of Hagia Sophia by the decision of the Turkish authorities |url=https://www.mfa.am/en/interviews-articles-and-comments/2020/07/11/st_soph/10357 |website=mfa.am |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724153511/https://www.mfa.am/en/interviews-articles-and-comments/2020/07/11/st_soph/10357 |archive-date=24 July 2021 |date=11 July 2020}}</ref> Catholicos [[Karekin II]], the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, said the move "violat[ed] the rights of national religious minorities in Turkey."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Reflections of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; on the Decision of the Turkish Authorities to turn the Hagia Sophia Cathedral-Museum into a Mosque |url=https://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=3&nid=4377&y=2020&m=6&d=14 |website=armenianchurch.org |publisher=[[Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225194450/https://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=3&nid=4377&y=2020&m=6&d=14 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |date=14 July 2020}}</ref> [[Sahak II Mashalian]], the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, perceived as loyal to the Turkish government, endorsed the decision to convert the museum into a mosque. He said, "I believe that believers' praying suits better the spirit of the temple instead of curious tourists running around to take pictures."<ref>{{cite news |title=Armenian Patriarch backs opening Hagia Sophia to worship |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/armenian-patriarch-backs-opening-hagia-sophia-to-worship-155651 |work=[[Hürriyet Daily News]] |date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724152155/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/armenian-patriarch-backs-opening-hagia-sophia-to-worship-155651 |archive-date=24 July 2021}}</ref>

In July 2021, UNESCO asked for an updated report on the state of conservation and expressed "grave concern". There were also some concerns about the future of its World Heritage status.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hagia Sophia stripped of museum status, paving its return to a mosque |publisher=National Geographic |author=Romey, Kristin |date=13 Jul 2020 |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2020/07/hagia-sophia-stripped-of-museum-status-paving-its-return-to-a}}</ref> Turkey responded that the changes had "no negative impact" on UNESCO standards and the criticism is "biased and political".<ref>{{cite web |title=Turkey hits back at UNESCO concern over Hagia Sophia |url=https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-hits-back-at-unesco-concern-over-hagia-sophia/a-58626501 |website=dw.com |date=24 July 2021}}</ref>