The Hagia Sophia controversy has been raging since Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the iconic building, which was once a church and then a mosque, would be opened as a mosque again in July 2020.
The move has been widely condemned by the international community, as it has been seen as a violation of religious freedom and a sign of rising Islamic nationalism in Turkey.
The Hagia Sophia, which is located in Istanbul, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most iconic monuments in the world. It was built in the 6th century as an Eastern Orthodox Christian cathedral and was later converted into an Ottoman mosque in the 15th century. It has been a museum since 1934.
The Hagia Sophia Controversy
The controversy over the Hagia Sophia began when Erdogan announced in July 2020 that it would be reconverted into a mosque. This move was seen by many as an attempt to erase the long history of religious tolerance in Turkey and as a sign of the government’s increasingly authoritarian and nationalist policies.
The decision has been widely condemned by the international community, with the European Union, United States and Russia all expressing their disapproval. UNESCO has also expressed its concern, stating that the move could have a “detrimental impact” on the site’s status as a World Heritage Site.
The Reactions
The move has sparked protests both in Turkey and abroad, with many people taking to the streets to voice their opposition. In Istanbul, protesters gathered outside the Hagia Sophia to show their disapproval, while in other cities such as London, Paris and New York, people held demonstrations in solidarity.
The decision has also been met with criticism from religious leaders. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, has said that the move is “a blow to religious freedom and cultural heritage”. The Greek government has also condemned the decision, as it is seen as an attempt to erase the long history of Greek influence in Istanbul.
What’s Next?
It remains to be seen how the controversy will be resolved. The international community has called on Turkey to reverse its decision, but Erdogan has shown no signs of doing so. It is likely that the dispute will continue to simmer in the coming months.
Conclusion
The controversy over the Hagia Sophia has highlighted the tension between religious freedom and Islamic nationalism in Turkey. It is a dispute that is likely to continue in the coming months, and it will be interesting to see how it is resolved.