The UN's cultural agency UNESCO says it deeply regrets Turkey's decision to turn the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from a museum into a mosque.
The UN's cultural agency UNESCO said it deeply regretted Turkey's decision to turn the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from a museum into a mosque, lamenting there had been no prior dialogue on the status of the former Byzantine cathedral.
UNESCO warned that the move risked harming the universal nature of Hagia Sophia as a place open to all of civilisation, a key aspect of its World Heritage status.It said that any modification requires prior notification to UNESCO and possibly examination by its World Heritage Committee, which adds - and sometimes removes - sites from the coveted list of UNESCO World Heritage.
"UNESCO calls upon the Turkish authorities to initiate dialogue without delay, in order to prevent any detrimental effect on the universal value of this exceptional heritage," the statement said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rowling, Atwood, Chomsky sign letter decrying 'vogue for public shaming'The Harry Potter writer, who has been accused of transphobia by LGBTQI+ activists for likening hormone treatment to gay conversion therapy and saying only women menstruate, joins 150 academics, artists and writers who signed the letter.
Read more »
Writer Michelle Law issues apology for 'racist' scene'The truth is, the scene we made seven years ago is racist. Jokes my collaborators and I made online discussing the scene seven years ago are also racist. I'm deeply sorry,' Law posted on Twitter on Friday afternoon.
Read more »