Official Ankara surprised by UNESCO's reaction to Hagia Sophia's status change

(Patria) – Turkey will inform UNESCO about further changes related to the ancient Hagia Sophia, which was converted into a mosque by a decision of the Turkish court last Friday, Turkish Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on Monday.

The court ruling states that the building's conversion into a museum in 1934 was illegal.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Hagia Sophia a mosque and announced that the first prayers would be held within the next two weeks.

UNESCO responded on Friday that after President Erdogan's announcement, they would 'reconsider' the status of this World Heritage monument.

Cavusoglu said that official Ankara is surprised by UNESCO's reaction and that they will inform the organization about further steps that will be taken regarding Hagia Sophia, which for nine centuries was a Byzantine church before being converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire, reports the British Guardian.