Adnan Ertem

Historical artifacts in Turkey and abroad have survived thanks to the efforts of the General Directorate of Foundations. Nearly 4,000 structures have been restored in 13 years, says the general director Between 2002 and 2015, nearly 4,000 cultural and historical artifacts across Turkey have been restored, according to General Directorate of Foundations Director Adnan Ertem. 

A ruined Hagia Sophia dating back to the 12th century in the western border province of Edirne will be renovated as a mosque, despite former statements made about the possibility of restoring it as a museum. 

The General Directorate of Foundations Calligraphy Museum in Istanbul is home to 3,000 calligraphy panels. Some are undergoing restoration by 20 experts Among thousands of artworks in the Turkish Calligraphy Arts Museum, affiliated with the General Directorate of Foundations, 563 are being restored by a team of 20 experts.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has called on Turkey's non-Muslim community leaders to raise their voice against Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination during a meeting in Istanbul on Jan. 2.

U.S. consular-general to Istanbul Charles F. Hunter has praised the restorations of a synagogue in neighboring Edirne province, after meeting the governor who hit headlines after suggesting that the structure should be turned into a museum in reaction to Israeli policies on the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

A historical synagogue under restoration in the northwestern province of Edirne will not be turned into a museum, a top state official has said, despite earlier remarks from the province’s governor.