Erdoğan gifts a plaque with verses from the Quran to Hagia Sophia

Despite international condemnation over the decision to change Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues his provocative actions.

He recently gifted a plaque with verses from the Quran to the museum turned mosque.

The plaque which was made by Turkish artist Mehmet Özçay, was placed on a wall near the pulpit.

Council of Europe condemns Hagia Sophia conversion

Last month, under orders from Erdoğan, the General Directorate of Institutions (which is under the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism), announced a tender for the construction of toilets inside the museum turned mosque.

The toilets are scheduled to be completed by August 11, 2021.

On Friday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Culture Committee condemned Turkey’s move to convert Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque.

Dora Bakoyannis of the ruling New Democracy Party said “Turkey’s unilateral decision was condemned as unacceptable and incomprehensible, as a divisive move of discrimination contrary to all the principles of the Council.”