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Protest in central Sofia against reconversion of Istanbul's Hagia Sophia into mosque

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Photo: EPA/BGNES

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has universal value. It must continue to represent the diversity of religious, cultural and historical heritage. We will do everything possible to preserve the Christian symbols in the temple so its conversion into a mosque would not lead to their deletion, said in response to a parliamentary question Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva. 

Citizens gathered at lunchtime in front of the Saint Sophia church in the centre of the Bulgarian capital Sofia to protest against the first Muslim prayer in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia. We do not accept the explanation that this is an internal problem of Turkey, the organizers of the event said, quoted by BGNES news agency.



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