Following a proclamation by Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Hagia Sophia museum will be converted back into a mosque. The building’s striking appearance is legendary, and is one of Turkey’s oldest structures.
Much like Turkey itself, and the city of Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia has had a long and complex history. Turkey sits neatly between Europe and the Middle East, making it a gateway between two rather distinct cultures.
For some period of history, Turkey was part of the Ottoman Empire. Before this, the area was the home of the Byzantine Empire, a Roman offshoot that dominated the region for centuries. During this time, the city of Istanbul was “Constantinople,” a name that is still controversial in some circles. In the 6th Century, the Hagia Sophia was built as a church by the Byzantines.
In 1453, the Ottomans conquered Constantinople and changed the name of the city to Istanbul. They also converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, aligning it with their own religion. In 1934, leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s cabinet deemed the location important enough to become a museum instead of a church. Since then, the Hagia Sophia has been a symbol of religious harmony between Christians and Muslims.
Erdogan confirmed that the site will again become a mosque, nullifying the 1934 decree. However, he promised that the interior of the building would remain unchanged. Christian iconography that dates back to the original construction of the Hagia Sophia remain intact. However, the site will be for readings from the Quran and Muslim prayer practices.
Erdogan promised, however, that non-Muslims can still visit the Hagia Sophia.
The move drew criticism from some in the international community. “As museum, Hagia Sophia can function as place and symbol of encounter, dialogue and peaceful coexistence of peoples and cultures, mutual understanding and solidarity between Christianity and Islam,” wrote the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Erdogan himself is no stranger to controversy. Many in the international community view him as a strongman leader. His proclivity for alleged phone deals with other leaders and his status as the leader of Turkey have brought criticism to the legitimacy of his power.
Many commentators noted that this move keeps in line with Erdogan’s normal behavior, however. He is accused of highlighting a specific brand of religious nationalism in Turkey and sowing division between different religious groups in the region.
