Islamists Seize Great Cathedral

As triumphant Islamists prepare to hold prayers in one of the world's greatest Christian cathedrals tomorrow, neither the governments have Donald Trump or Boris Johnson have uttered a squeak of protest. Only one major world power has spoken out over the decision of Turkish dictator Erdogan to turn the Hagia Sophia from a museum back into a mosque.

This Friday, Islamic prayers are due to be held in Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia for the first time since Turkey’s government decided to re-convert the ancient cathedral into a mosque. Russia has stepped in, with Moscow voicing concern to Ankara over the fate of the historic building, including its world-famous Christian mosaics.  

The 6th-century Byzantine cathedral is not only famous as an architectural marvel, but also for the large mosaics depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Byzantium rulers decorating the building's massive walls ceilings.
 
A spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has spearheaded the push to change the status of the monument from museum to mosque, earlier said Christian mosaics would be concealed with curtains or lighting during Friday prayers. More blatant Islamists, however, confidently expect them to be painted or plastered over, or perhaps destroyed by 'vandals'/
 
Within days of an Istanbul court revoking the Hagia Sophia's museum status - paving the way to its conversion to a mosque - Russian president Vladimir Putin was on the phone to President Erdogan seeking assurances over the state of the mosaics. "All possible steps must be taken to prevent damage that could be caused by the hasty change in the status of the world-renowned museum," read a statement this month by the Russian parliament the State Duma.
 
Russian Orthodox leaders have also expressed concerns about building’s conversion, which they describe as a threat to Christianity. Political leaders in other Orthodox countries, including Greece, have also spoken out, while demonstrations are being held outside Turkish embassies in many Orthodox countries, including Serbia. The silence of Western leaders is a mark of great shame.
 

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