Turkey has confirmed that the Hagia Sophia, originally a church, then a mosque, now a museum for nearly the last century, will revert to a mosque later this month. Will Istanbul’s most famous landmark now be off-limits to non-Muslims or will Hagia Sophia tourism continue even as a mosque?
Hagia Sophia Reverts To Mosque
I detailed the issue earlier in the week, but Hagia Sophia, a sixth-century Byzantine structure, became a museum in 1935 after roughly 400 years as a mosque. Prior to that, it had been a Christian church for nearly 1,000 years. The launch of the Turkish Republic under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk moved the nation in a secular direction. As such, the Hagia Sophia was designated as a museum to recognize Turkey’s new direction and its historic links to both Christianity and Islam.
But Turkey has grown much more Islamic under the regime of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. For years, Erdoğan has bemoaned the status of Hagia Sophia, expressing his belief that Muslims should be free to worship at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Yesterday, Erdoğan received his wish. After a Turkish court ruled that the mosque was impermissibly designated a museum, Erdogan addressed the nation. He announced prayer would return to Hagia Sophia on July 24th, adding:
“God willing, we will perform Friday prayers all together on July 24 and reopen Hagia Sophia to worshipping.”
Leaders around the world, including from UNESCO, the United States, Russia, and Greece have condemned the move. Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said:
“The nationalism displayed by Erdogan… takes his country back six centuries.”
> Read More: Museum Or Mosque? The Battle Over Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia
Will Hagia Sophia Still Be Open To Tourists?
Erdoğan assured listeners that the Hagia Sophia would remain open to all in his address:
“Like all our mosques, the doors of Hagia Sophia will be wide open to locals and foreigners, Muslims and non-Muslims.”
It may mean more limited hours, however, since the mosque may face closure to the public during prayer times. Female visitors may also have to cover up, as they do when visiting the adjacent Blue Mosque.
CONCLUSION
Hagia Sophia will once again become a mosque. That will change some aspects of tourism, but Hagia Sophia will remain open to the public.
What are your thoughts on Hagia Sophia becoming a mosque again?
Given that hundreds of mosques around the world (some even in Turkey) are open to tourists and non-Muslims, I’m not sure why the world is freaking out over this. Not a fan of Erdoğan here, but at the end of the day, it’s up to Turkey to decide what to do with their houses of worship.
To the victor goes the spoils?
(I tend to agree with you, though)
How can you write an article like this without mentioning the fact that Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”) was built in the year AD 537 by the Emperor Justinian (replacing an earlier church of AD 360) as the Christian cathedral of the Patriarch of Constantinople and was a Christian church for over 900 years (or with its predecessor almost 1100 years) until it was taken by the Turks in their sack of Constantinople and turned into a mosque (after they killed or enslaved the children, women and elderly sheltering inside). Oops, must have just slipped your mind.
Come on, that’s against the prevailing narrative that Islam can do no wrong and that Christians are the root of all evil (excuse me, White ones). Get with the program our you will be canceled. I’m sure you’re making some Democrat uncomfortable some place so you must be silenced.
@Stc
I’ll take Recycled Conservative Talking Points for $800, Alex.
George, it didn’t slip my mind–I specifically mentioned that this was a Christian church for nearly a millennium before it was taken over by Ottoman invaders. But litigating history in this manner is best served in discussion, not a brief story on whether Hagia Sophia will remain open to tourism.
I’m sure the Religion of Peace will continue to interact harmoniously with others.
I think this move is more a commentary on majoritarian rule than simply a reflection of one religion.
Remove the UNESCO designation and let the Turkish gov’t foot the restoration and upkeeping bill. The revenue generated from guests visiting it as a museum would be better than generating zero revenue as a holy worshipping site. Who will stop a visitor from paying a fee to come pray inside a mosque? I say stick it to them where it hurts: their coffers.
Well at least it is still standing. In American it would have been looted, burned, defaced or toppled by those elements now trying to rewrite history. And Nancy Erdogan-Pelosi would be saying there is nothing wrong with people doing that.
Do you wear your white hood while shopping in Walmart?
Not helpful Pete.
Another one of Ataturk’s legacies destroyed by Erdogan.
No one seems to be concerned that the beautiful, ancient mosaics will be covered up again. Islamic worship forbids the use of images and so those masterpieces were plastered over in the past and may be so mutilated again.
I did mention this on my prior post on this matter. Very sad. Hopefully they will just be covered and not destroyed.
Seems like many of the folks commenting don’t know (again) what they are talking about. While I don’t have an opinion on the decision itself, the mosque will still be accessible to anyone, outside of worship hours – just like Christian churches and cathedrals (Notre Dame in Paris, for example).
I’m more curious what will happen to the remaining visible Christian remnants and also who will pay for upkeep now that museum revenues will disappear