Hagia Sophia is a historical monument of Istanbul, located in the Sultanahmet district. It is considered to be one of the greatest examples of Byzantine architecture and one of the most important monuments of Turkey. The building has had many uses over the years and it has been a mosque, a museum, and even a church.
The history of Hagia Sophia began in 532 AD when it was commissioned by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and built by the Greek geometers Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. The building was completed in 537 and served as the seat of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly a thousand years.
In 1453, Hagia Sophia was captured by the Ottoman Turks and converted into a mosque. The mosque was used for Islamic worship for almost 500 years, until it was secularized in 1934 and opened as a museum.
Recent Changes
In 2020, the Turkish government announced that Hagia Sophia would be converted back into a mosque. The decision was met with criticism from many countries, including the United States and Greece.
The Turkish government argued that the conversion was in line with its commitment to respect the country’s religious and cultural heritage. The government also argued that the building had been a mosque for much longer than it had been a museum, and that the conversion would make it accessible to Muslims.
Controversy
The conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque has been met with controversy. Opponents argue that the conversion is an attempt to erase the history of the building, which is an important part of Turkey’s heritage.
Critics also argue that the conversion is part of a larger trend of increasing religious nationalism in Turkey, and that it is an attempt to undermine the secular nature of the Turkish state.
Impact
The conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque has had an impact on the cultural and religious landscape of Turkey. It has sparked debate about the role of religion in Turkish society, and has raised questions about the country’s commitment to secularism and religious freedom.
The conversion has also sparked protests in many cities around the world, with people expressing their opposition to the decision.
Conclusion
Hagia Sophia is an important part of Turkey’s cultural and religious heritage. The decision to convert it back into a mosque has been met with criticism from many countries, and has sparked debate about the role of religion in Turkey. The conversion has had an impact on the cultural and religious landscape of the country, and has raised questions about the country’s commitment to secularism and religious freedom.