President Erdogan of Turkey today issued a decree to allow the Kariye (Chora) Museum to be used as a mosque. The structure, originally the Church of Christ in the Chora Monastery, is decorated with frescoes that are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque; in 1945, it was declared a national monument. The move follows the ruling in November 2019 by the country’s top administrative court that the use of the building as a museum was unlawful on the grounds that it violates the Ottoman decree dedicating it to Muslim worship. The latest decree in turn follows one issued last month transferring the Hagia Sophia to the Religious Affairs Directorate and allowing it to be used as a mosque.
As the cultural landscape of the Middle East continues to evolve, Abu Dhabi is preparing to unveil one of its most anticipated artistic milestones. On 11 December 2026, the long-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will officially open its doors, marking a transformative moment not only for the UAE but also for the international art world.