During the interview at Çankaya Palace in Ankara, President Erdoğan made remarks on a number of topics, including the local elections, his rallies and impressions, recent developments in the fight against terror, his projects for the future, moves against the Turkish economy, U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on the Golan Heights and changing the status of the Hagia Sophia.
Stating that they have been crushing all terrorist organization, including the PKK, DAESH, the FETO and the DHKP-C, President Erdoğan noted that the leadership of the terrorist organization have been suffering significant losses.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on the Golan Heights
On U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on the Golan Heights, President Erdoğan underscored that the United Nations, with the resolution adopted in 1967, ruled that the Golan Heights belong to Syria.
Describing U.S. President Donald Trump’s attitude concerning the Golan Heights and Al-Quds as faits accomplis, which, he noted, would not work, President Erdoğan said that Russia, France, which are members of the UN Security Council, the EU, are against President Trump’s decision. President Erdoğan also underscored that being the president of the U.S. does not Mr. Trump such a right.
Hagia Sophia's status to be changed to mosque
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia museum will be converted back into a mosque, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.
"Ayasofya (Haghia Sophia) will no longer be called a museum. Its status will change. We will call it a mosque," Erdogan said during a live televised program.
Slamming criticism of the decision by foreign officials, Erdogan recalled their silence over the attacks on Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.
"Those who remain silent when Masjid Al-Aqsa is attacked, trampled, its windows smashed, cannot tell us what to do about the status of Ayasofya," he said.
Hagia Sophia, dubbed "8th Wonder of the World" by historians, is one of the most visited museums in the world in terms of art and architecture history.
It was used as a church for 916 years. In 1453, it was converted into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmet when the Ottomans conquered Istanbul.
Following restoration work during the Ottoman era and the adding of minarets by architect Mimar Sinan, the Hagia Sophia became one of the most important monuments of world architecture.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/hagia-sophias-status-to-be-changed-to-mosque-erdogan/1432062