In its most recent bulletin dedicated to fighting disinformation, the directorate discredited the rumors of a $38 billion transaction with the Vatican for the Hagia Sophia, underlining that such a claim was fundamentally ‘impossible’. The bulletin urged readers to disregard baseless rumors about Hagia Sophia’s sale or long-term closure for restoration.

On a similar note, authorities in Turkey recently embarked on an extensive restoration project for the historic Hagia Sophia, which resumed functioning as a mosque following a 2020 court decision. The work’s first phase is scheduled for completion in January 2024, and the second within the next three years. Throughout this period, the mosque will remain accessible to visitors and worshipers.

In the same dispatch, the directorate quashed rumors of a xenophobic rally in Turkey, clarifying that the video evidence was misrepresented and actually showed football fans chanting game-related slogans, with no evidence of racist speech.

Further debunking disinformation, the directorate dismissed claims of a racially motivated attack on a Kuwaiti national in Istanbul. It explained that the incident shown in the social media footage involved a dispute between three tourists in the Beyoğlu district, which was resolved swiftly by the intervention of local citizens.

The bulletin comes in the wake of an apparent increase in false news and disinformation about foreigners and refugees, often propagated by far-right politicians. Among these is Ümit Özdağ, head of the far-right anti-refugee Victory Party, who has been widely criticized for continuously promoting misleading narratives about refugees from Afghanistan and Syria.

Turkey currently shelters the largest refugee population worldwide, the majority being 3.6 million Syrians living under temporary protection. The first group of Syrian refugees, consisting of 250 individuals, sought refuge in Turkey more than ten years ago, seeking safety from the conflict and persecution under the Bashar Assad regime.

After the tenure of Constitutional Court member Muammer Topal concluded on January 30, Erdoğan selected Akçil as his successor. Akçil was chosen from a list of three names put forward by the Council of State General Assembly. The announcement was made public in the official government gazette.

Leading the 10th Chamber of the Council of State, Akçil validated the transform of Hagia Sophia back into a religious institution, and also endorsed the decision by President Erdoğan for Turkey to leave the İstanbul Convention. The Convention is an international treaty established to combat violence against women.

During the presidency of Abdullah Gül, members Zühtü Arslan, Hasan Tahsin Gökcan, Muammer Topal, Muhammed Emin Kuz, and Engin Yıldırım were appointed to the AYM. However, the appointments of Vice President Kadir Özkaya, and members Yıldız Seferinoğlu, Basri Bağcı, İrfan Fidan, Recai Akyel, Yusuf Şevki Hakyemez, and Selahaddin Menteş were made during the tenure of Erdoğan.

Yılmaz Akçil, born in Sandıklı, Afyon, on August 16, 1968, completed his law degree at Ankara University, and then achieved a master’s degree at Cumhuriyet University. His legal career included roles in tax courts in Sivas and Mersin, the Administrative Court in Erzurum, and leading roles in the Administrative and Regional Administrative Court in Erzurum. Akçil was also previously the President of the Justice Academy of Turkey.

Why is an entrance fee being introduced?

The decision to implement an entrance fee for Hagia Sophia starting from January 2024 has been made in order to manage the high number of visitors and provide a safer experience for everyone, including worshippers. With an estimated 3.5 million annual visitors, the ancient cathedral turned mosque requires a new system to handle the crowds and ensure a better visit for all.

How much will the entrance fee be?

Although the exact amount has not been announced yet, it is expected that tourists visiting Hagia Sophia will have to pay an entrance fee while worshippers can enter for free. The fee amount is still being determined, taking into consideration various factors such as the cost of maintaining the historical site and providing a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.

What changes can visitors expect?

Starting from January 15, 2024, visitors to Hagia Sophia can expect some changes in the way they enter and experience the iconic landmark. The new system being implemented aims to create a better visit for all, with improved crowd management and safety measures. Additionally, tourists will now have to pay an entrance fee, while worshippers can enter for free.

Despite various apprehensions about political motivations behind the long-term closure of Hagia Sophia, which was recently transformed from a museum into a functioning mosque, Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has affirmed that the monument will not cease in its role as a place of worship.

Yet, it’s important to note that as the restoration process unfolds, the visitor space and prayer area will require more limitations, possibly leading to temporary closure of the monument for tourists.

The transition of Hagia Sophia into an active mosque and the unrestricted public access have amplified the pressure on this illustrious heritage site, resulting in notable damage to walls and gates. Specialists also indicate that the monument has weathered considerable wear and tear throughout the centuries, including its dome and other segments, intensified by issues such as rainwater leakage.

Security measures have been increased by Turkish authorities, with around 70 guards on shifts and the tourist police now patrolling the monument, in response to a recent breakout of vandalism. It’s now reported that nearly 40,000 individuals are flocking to Hagia Sophia daily.

On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that the remarkable monument, originally categorized as a museum, would revert to its religious role following a high court ruling. The court judgment nullified a 1934 council of ministers’ decision, which had converted the Byzantine-era edifice into a museum, stating, Hagia Sophia’s property deed identifies it as a mosque.

Hagia Sophia, constructed as a cathedral during the Christian Byzantine Empire, was converted into a mosque following the Ottoman Empire’s conquest over Constantinople in 1453. The structure, nestled in the historical heart of the city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global tourist magnet, regularly hosting millions of visitors.

The recent decision starkly underlines the ongoing tension between secular and religious Turks within the country. Erdogan, known to have consistently backed the cause of the mosque conversion, has been met with a deluge of divided opinions on social media.

While some users hailed the decision as a triumph for Muslims, others expressed disappointment, contending that the World Heritage Site should have remained neutral. Some argued that the transformation is a symbol of Turkey’s shifting stance away from secularism.

A few commentators even invoked other global issues in response to this decision, suggesting that worldwide priorities needed recalibration. The conflicting reactions on social media to Hagia Sophia’s transformation underscore the continual intersection of history, religion, and politics on the global stage.