Turkey hits out at EU over criticism of decision to revert Hagia Sophia to mosque
Turkeys foreign minister chided the European Union over its condemnation of a Turkish decision to convert Istanbuls Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque, saying the matter is an issue of national sovereignty.
Last week, Turkey cancelled the sixth-century former cathedral-turned-mosques 86-year status as a museum and said it would open for Muslim worship as of July 24.
The decision sparked criticism in the United States, Greece, and other Western countries as well as from Orthodox Christian leaders.
Pope Francis expressed sadness over the move.
EU foreign ministers, holding their first face-to-face meeting in months on Monday, declared that they condemned the decision.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said there was broad support to call on the Turkish authorities to urgently consider and reverse this decision.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/turkey-hits-eu-over-criticism-185042652.html