On the recordJuly 23, 2020
For more than 80 years, Hagia Sophia has served as a museum visited by people from all around the globe. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an architectural masterpiece, with a complex history as a place of worship for both Christians and Muslims. Changing its status is an affront to religious pluralism, and it jeopardizes its standing. This amendment encourages the State Department to denounce Turkey for taking this despicable action and to engage for the purpose of returning its status to a museum. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this amendment.
