Hagia Sophia, one of the most iconic landmarks of Istanbul, is set to reopen as a mosque in 2021 after a controversial court ruling.
The Hagia Sophia, or Ayasofya in Turkish, was originally built in 537 AD as a Christian cathedral by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It served as a place of worship for the next thousand years until it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire.
In 1934, the Turkish government declared it a museum, and it has been open to the public ever since. The Hagia Sophia has long been a symbol of interfaith dialogue, with its architecture and artwork reflecting both Christian and Islamic influences.
The decision to convert the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque has been met with criticism from the international community. Many fear that the move could further divide Turkey from the West and lead to an increase in religious tensions.
Background
The Hagia Sophia has a long and complex history, and its status has been the subject of debate for centuries. In 2019, the Turkish government announced that it would be reopening the building as a mosque, sparking international outcry.
The move was seen by many as an attempt to increase the power of the ruling AK Party, which has long been accused of promoting a more conservative version of Islam in Turkey. The government has also been accused of using the Hagia Sophia as a tool to distract from other issues, such as the economy and human rights.
The Court Ruling
In July 2020, the Turkish Council of State issued a ruling that the Hagia Sophia could be reopened as a mosque. The decision was met with criticism from the international community, and the Greek government has called for the ruling to be reversed.
The ruling has been welcomed by many in Turkey, particularly members of the AK Party. The government has said that it will begin the process of converting the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, and it is expected to reopen in 2021.
The Future of Hagia Sophia
The future of the Hagia Sophia remains uncertain. Many fear that the reopening of the building as a mosque could lead to further religious tensions in the region, while others believe it could be a symbol of unity and interfaith dialogue.
The Turkish government has said that the Hagia Sophia will remain open to the public, and that visitors will be allowed to view the building’s artwork and architecture. However, the extent to which visitors will be able to access the building is yet to be determined.
Conclusion
The Hagia Sophia is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul, and its reopening as a mosque has been met with criticism from the international community. The future of the Hagia Sophia remains uncertain, but the Turkish government has said that it will remain open to the public and that visitors will be allowed to view the building’s artwork and architecture.
Hagia Sophia 2021 is set to be an important year in the history of the landmark, and it will be interesting to see how the decision to reopen it as a mosque impacts the region.