[Archive 2019-03-31] Turkey's President Erdogan proposes converting Hagia Sophia Museum to mosque

Historical archive — originally published 2019-03-31. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

On Wednesday, as a part of his pre-election campaign, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pledged converting Hagia Sophia, formerly a Greek Orthodox church and now a museum, to a mosque, following the election today. He announced this change by live television on Wednesday and again verbally in a rally on Friday, despite criticism by the Greek foreign minister and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) who questioned his authority to make the change.

This Thursday the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also criticized the move, this time not only implying approval would be required, but also recommending to maintain the status of the monument as a museum. They released a statement which said, "Hagia Sophia bears profound historical and spiritual significance to Muslims and Christians alike, and its status as a museum must be maintained".

On live television Erdogan also attacked the proclamation of Golan Heights as official Israeli territory by the President of the United States Donald Trump, which was made on Monday. This proclamation contradicted the United Nations' official position on status of the territory, which belonged to Syria and was occupied by Israel.

Erdogan also said earlier he might rename the monument. On the live television he said, "Constantinople will never exist again[...] The name of this area is Islambol [full of Islam] and you know that." UNESCO reportedly said a change of name of a world heritage site would required approval from the World Heritage Committee.

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