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July 24, 2020
On this Day of Mourning, we join as brothers in Christ to decry the conversion of the Hagia Sophia by the government of Turkey.
Hagia Sophia has long stood as a reminder of our shared cultural and
religious heritage and holds special significance to Christians and
Muslims alike. Our regret, however, is not merely over the fate of this
significant structure. We are troubled by the government’s disregard for
religious pluralism in Turkey, and we are particularly concerned
because this action represents a visible marginalization and continued
attack of the religious freedom of Turkey’s Christian communities and
other religious minorities.
Together, we join all those who mourn this divisive act and urge the
world to stay vigilant in protecting religious minorities and religious
freedom in Turkey.