18.02.2025 10:40
Publisher Ali Ertuğrul Öztarsu claimed that his aunt, who came from South Korea, was not allowed into the free section of Hagia Sophia on the grounds that she was "not a Muslim." The publisher also alleged that despite his aunt stating that she was a Muslim, the security asked her to provide the Shahada. He stated that the security used the terms 'liar' and 'non-Muslim' towards his Korean Muslim guest.
Turkey opened the Hagia Sophia, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1985, for worship under the name of Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi on July 24, 2020. Before the decision to convert it into a mosque, entrance fees were charged as it was under museum status. However, after it was converted into a mosque, entrance became free. There is no change in the entrance for Turkish citizens visiting the mosque for worship purposes. On the other hand, foreign visitors coming for tourism and cultural purposes can visit the Hagia Sophia for 25 Euros (950 TL). The distinction of "outside of worship" over time turns into a Muslim-Non-Muslim practice. A similar situation happened to YouTube broadcaster Ali Ertuğrul Öztarsu.
"THIS WOMAN IS NOT TURKISH"
Ali Ertuğrul Öztarsu and his sister-in-law, who headed to the ticket office to pay the fee, were directed to another entrance after a staff member warned, "If you are Turkish and Muslim, you can enter for free." According to Öztarsu's statement, the security officer at the second entrance pointed at the YouTube broadcaster's sister-in-law and said, "This woman is not Turkish, you cannot enter." Later, when Ertuğrul saw African tourists entering the mosque without paying, he reacted, leading to a Muslim-Non-Muslim dialogue.
HE WAS ASKED TO RECITE THE SHAHADA
Despite his sister-in-law stating that she is Muslim, the broadcaster said that she was asked to recite the Shahada. He used the expression, "My Korean Muslim guest was called 'liar' and 'non-Muslim' by the security officers, and content was not taken." In the following minutes, another security officer continued to exhibit behavior that drew reactions with statements like, "How are they getting in?" and "You will go and buy a headscarf." The tension ended with Ertuğrul and his family's entrance to the Hagia Sophia.