The intervention of the Turkish authorities in the Hagia Sophia mosque caused dissatisfaction and confusion among Turkish citizens due to the introduction of a 25-euro ticket for visiting for tourist purposes and due to the separation of the entrance for those who come to the mosque for religious purposes, etnos.gr writes.

The opposition newspaper Sözcü notes that in his speech in which he announced the return of Hagia Sophia to the religious status of a mosque on July 24, 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured that entry, like all mosques, would be free. But as soon as the “common heritage of mankind” was opened for religious worship, Erdoğan turned Hagia Sophia into a tribune for political reasons. Even the Ottoman sultans would never have thought of such a thing, writes Sözcü.

The head of religious affairs, Ali Erbas, had a negative impact on the country’s image by appearing in the pulpit with a sword. “Descendants of Muhammad the Conqueror turned the legacy of the great Sultan into a political campaign. Meanwhile, “the common property of humanity has been destroyed from day one,” according to a Turkish opposition newspaper.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral is managed by a relative of the Ministry of Culture

On January 15, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism opened the zenana (women’s area) of St. Sophia as a museum area, where 10 ceramic objects are exhibited. The management of the museum was entrusted to the company Dem Museology, in which one of the partners is a relative of the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ersoy. “The Saint Sophia Cathedral becomes the site of a new scandal every day. For example, a door was built for the entrance to the zenana of St. Sophia, which violates the history and architecture of the monument.”

But “this is only one of the scandals.” “On the first day, anyone, Turkish or foreign, could enter the zenana if they paid 25 euros. But after January 17, Turks were banned from entering. It was not clear why it was banned. After a backlash, the ban was lifted on January 22.

Currently, Turks can climb into the zenana by paying 25 euros. During prayer, all local and foreign Muslims are allowed to enter the mosque. Only Turkish citizens are allowed outside the prayers. Security personnel check the type and clothing of visitors and decide whether they are Turkish or not. If they look suspicious, I ask for their ID. Non-Turkish citizens are not welcome. Turks who are citizens of another country cannot enter. Guides are not allowed to conduct audio presentations in order not to disturb those present. Information about the ceramics presented in the zenana is provided through headphones. But there are no tours inside the mosque,” writes Sözcü.

For the first time in Turkey, Turks pay for the museum in currency

While the “Museum Card” is valid for all other attractions, such as Topkapi Palace, with year-round access for 60 Turkish Lira, it does not extend to Hagia Sophia. Priority entry is granted to those who pay €47.50 to visit both the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum, opened in Sultanahmet (the space of the former cadastral office, which displays historical objects from Hagia Sophia). This is called a “VIP ticket”.

Ticket sales are carried out by employees of Dem Museology. In addition, headphones are sold for 100 Turkish Lira, large scarves for 75 Turkish Lira, and simple scarves for 30 Turkish Lira. On the sign near the entrance it is written that 1 euro is equal to 34 Turkish liras. “We understand that Saint Sophia was opened not only for political reasons. It was also open for business! Above is a museum, below is a mosque. Turks are not allowed to enter (the museum), but tourists are allowed to enter the mosque.

In addition, Hagia Sophia has a tax regime that is not found in any religious place in the world and in any museum in Turkey. Is that what Muhammad said? Where in his will it is written that political speeches should be delivered in front of the Hagia Sophia, that the zenana should be a commercial center and that foreigners will not be allowed to enter the mosque,” ​​writes the opposition newspaper Sözcü.