Byzantine architecture
Petition launched against conversion of Chora Church in Istanbul into mosque
The Hellenic American Leadership Council, an influential Greek-American advocacy group, has launched a petition against Ankara's conversion of another important Byzantine monument, the Chora Church, into a mosque.
Turkey: Renewing Efforts to Transform Another Emblematic Byzantine Church Into A Mosque
The newspaper Yeni Safak reported that the Turkish authorities are continuing with their plans to convert another significant Byzantine monument into a mosque, intending to open it to Muslim worshippers for the Friday prayers on February 23.
Erdogan exploits Hagia Sophia’s symbolic power
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strategically utilized the symbolic significance of Hagia Sophia, once the world's largest Byzantine cathedral, which he reconverted into a mosque in 2020, in order to mobilize his devout and nationalist supporters ahead of Sunday's runoff vote. "The entire West got mad - but I did it," he said during a rally in Istanbul on Saturday.
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Turkey welcomes UN move to extend cross-border Syria aid
Ankara on July 9 welcomed the U.N. Security Council's decision to extend the delivery of humanitarian aid from Turkey to northwestern Syria for the next 12 months.
Earlier, the U.N. Security Council voted to extend the authorization of the cross-border mechanism to aid Syrian people.
The council mandate for the operation was due to expire on Saturday.
Cyprus settlement ‘key’ to solution of region’s tensions: UK minister
A settlement for the Cyprus issue is "key" to the resolution of the tensions in the Mediterranean, according to Wendy Morton, the U.K.'s minister for European Neighbourhood.
Speaking during an interview with private broadcaster CNN Türk, Morton said that the U.K. supports a "comprehensive, fair and lasting" settlement to the Cyprus issue.
Turkey-US on same page regarding assistance to Syrians: US envoy
Turkey and the United States might have differences on some issues, but the two NATO allies are on the same page regarding the continuation of cross-border assistance to Syrians, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a group of journalists on June 4.
Erdogan Takes Aim at Istanbul’s Symbolic Gezi Park Again
Gezi Park is one of over 1,000 properties that the Directorate General of Foundations has taken over within the last few years, but undoubtedly the most symbolic one for Erdogan alongside Istanbul's landmark Hagia Sophia.
Turkey expresses concern to Russian envoy over attacks in northern Syria
Turkey has expressed concern to Russian officials in Ankara over attacks in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib and the operation zone of Turkish troops deployed in northern Syria.
US continues to urge preservation of Hagia Sophia’s ‘multireligious history’
An official with the US State Department has reiterated Washington's belief in the protection of the "complex multi-religious history" of Hagia Sophia, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul and former Greek Orthodox patriarchal cathedral.
US announces $108 million assistance to Syrian people
The United States has announced an additional $108 million assistance to the Syrian people amid a new refugee influx towards the Turkish borders due to intensified military operations by the Syrian regime backed by Russia.