UNESCO now focuses on Eşrefoğlu mosque

KONYA - Anatolia News Agency

Konya’s historic Eşrefoğlu Mosque is in the UNESCO’s temporary list of world heritages. The national committee will work to included it in the permanent list.AA photo

The historic Eşrefoğlu Mosque and social complex in the Central Anatolian province of Konya’s Beyşehir district is expected to be included in the permanent list of the UNESCO’s world heritage site.

UNESCO Turkey National Committee Chairman Professor Öcal Oğuz and the committee members made examinations at the mosque and received information about it from Selçuk University Faculty of Literature member Associate Professor Yaşar Erdemir.

Speaking to press members at the mosque, Oğuz said a structure had to be unique to be included in the UNESCO list. “We think the Eşrefoğlu Mosque deserves to be included in the world heritage list,” he said.

“It is a historic structure and very unique one. We hope that the mosque, which is currently included in the temporary list, will move to the permanent list, and we will keep this issue on the agenda,” Oğuz said.

 “Konya and Beyşehir’s officials should also work harder to revive and promote the area’s social environment. Unfortunately, although the Eşrefoğlu Mosque is very precious, it is not very well known in Turkey.”