Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a significant announcement on Monday, confirming the reopening of a mosque in Istanbul that was previously converted from an ancient Byzantine Orthodox church.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President Erdogan declared, “The Kariye mosque, in its new form, will remain open to everyone.”
The mosque, formerly known as the Holy Saviour in Chora, had been adorned with 14th-century frescoes depicting the Last Judgement, cherished by Christians. Mitsotakis had previously appealed against the conversion of the historic site.
Erdogan’s statement signals a notable development in the ongoing dialogue surrounding religious and cultural heritage in Istanbul, with the reopening of the mosque poised to draw attention and provoke discussion on matters of preservation and religious inclusivity.
