After initially praising Turkey's conversion of Hagia Sophia, Iran has once again congratulated the country for the conversion of what was first a Christian Cathedral into an Islamic mosque.
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in international affairs and a medical professor, praised Turkey on Sunday for converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
"We congratulate the Turkish people for this important Islamic success," Velayati said.
Velayati criticised U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and said that Hagia Sophia will forever be a mosque.
"His ancestors converted all museums of the world into churches," Belayati said about Pompeo, adding that "The Hagia Sophia, which has been a mosque for 500 years, will remain as a mosque until the apocalypse."
Iran was one of the first countries to congratulate Turkey after it converted Hagia Sopgia into a mosque in July.
Abbas Mousavi, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said in July that Iran was happy to see the opening of Hagia Sophia for Islamic worship, as reported by Greek City Times.
Mousavi commented saying: “For the opening of Hagia Sophia for worship, which was accepted with satisfaction by the people of Turkey and Muslims, we also felt joy.”
Referring to the reactions of some countries to this decision, he said that “The situation of Hagia Sophia is an internal matter of Turkey.
“This is an issue that needs to be assessed in the context of Turkey’s national sovereignty,” he said.
The Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas also congratulated Turkey for its decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
“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.
A Pakistani terrorist organization, Jaish-e-Mohammad, also congratulated the conversion.
Maulana Masood Azhar, leader of the Pakistani terror group, said he welcomed the conversion of Hagia Sophia.
