The head of the World Council of Churches has written to Turkey's president expressing his "grief and dismay" over Turkey's decision to change the status of Istanbul's landmark Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque.
As a World Heritage museum, "Hagia Sophia has been a place of openness, encounter and inspiration for people from all nations," interim secretary general Ioan Sauca said in the letter released Saturday by the Geneva-based group.
Sauca said the museum status had been "a powerful expression" of Turkey's commitment to inclusion and secularism.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also said France "deplores" Turkey's decision on Hagia Sophia.
"Hagia Sophia must continue to represent the plurality and diversity of religious heritage, dialogue and tolerance.".
State Department has said it was "disappointed" by the decision and looks forward to seeing how Turkey plans to keep the landmark open to all.
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