The Middle East Council of Churches: The Turkish government’s decision to convert the “Hagia Sophia” church into a mosque is a violation of religious freedom and coexistence

Following the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's signature on the Turkish Supreme Court’s decision to transform the Hagia Sophia Church into a mosque, the Middle East Council of Churches issued a statement through its General Secretariat considering that this decision is an assault on religious freedom; the freedom that has become the cornerstone in global consciousness and that is protected by international laws. Therefore, the MECC calls for a decisive position from the United Nations and the League of Arab States by filing a legal appeal against the Turkish Supreme Court’s decision in order to achieve justice based on the principle of religious freedom and preserve the historical symbolism represented by the Church of "Hagia Sophia".

The General Secretariat adds: "The most dangerous element is that this decision contradicts the Christian-Muslim coexistence journey, which was prominently manifested on February 4, 2019 in “The Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” which concluded in the historic meeting between Pope Francis and Sheikh Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Ahmed Al-Tayeb. Moreover, it undermines all ecumenical initiatives and interfaith dialogues that took place in the last three decades. In fact, this decision violates a long process of convergence on the common good and peace in the face of radicalism and extremism”.

The statement concludes: “The whole world is called upon to firmly and consciously stand together against this decision. All societal and religious authorities living in Turkey must fully mobilize at all levels to put an end to this aggression and transgression, in a way that preserves the true meaning of coexistence in all its profundity”.

Middle East Council of Churches

General Secretariat

Communication and Public Relations Department