The Supreme Court of Turkey has passed the baton to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, Оrthodox Times reports.
Turkish judges ruled that Kemal Ataturk’s 1934 decree on the status of Hagia Sophia as a museum was and is legal, but noted that the current Turkish head of state had the right to decide whether to change it or not.
The pro-government press points out, however, that in the event of a positive proposal, it is assumed that the first prayer will be held on July 15, the fourth anniversary of the failed coup attempt, which may affect the time the final decision will be adopted.