Hamas has welcomed the verdict of Turkey’s Council of State revoking the status of Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia as a museum.
“Opening of Hagia Sophia to prayer is a proud moment for all Muslims,” said Rafat Murra, head of international press office of Hamas, in a written statement.
Murra said that the decision created “sadness” in certain groups in the Arab world.
“We have never seen them worry about Masjid al-Aqsa. We have not seen them get sad when the Zionists attack Dome of the Rock. When the occupiers’ banned call to prayer in Al-Halil Masjid or Palestinian masjid. They did not care,” he said.
On July 10, Turkey’s Council of State — the highest administrative court in the country – paved the way for Hagia Sophia’s conversion back into mosque.
Shortly after the court’s decision, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan handed over the iconic structure’s control to the country’s Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet).
In a televised address to the nation on July 10, Erdoğan said first prayers at the ancient structure will be held on July 24.