What's next for Turkey's Hagia Sophia? - National Geographic For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. If you prefer an Airbnb to a hotel, check out Matadors selection of Airbnbs in Istanbul to experience the best of the city. Revanche sur le trait de Svres,op. The Arasta Bazaar, Glhane Park, and Sirkeci metro station are also all located within 0.6 mile of the mansions. The city, founded by Constantine as the New Rome, also established itself as the religious capital of Christianity. On July 10, a Turkish court announced its decision to permit President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's regime to convert the ancient Christian church Hagia Sophia -- the Church of the Holy Wisdom -- into a mosque. President Erdoan, however, has defended the move as being within the sovereign rights of Turkey. Does Re-Converting Hagia Sophia into a Mosque Violate Secularism in Turkey? But some Muslims, including myself, are not fully comfortable with this historic step, and for a good reason: forced conversion of shrines, which has occurred too many times in human history in all directions, can be questioned even from a purely Islamic point of view. Response: Is the Conversion of Hagia Sophia Into a Mosque an Islamic Act? More broadly, the Hagia Sophia controversy is part and parcel of the changing relationship between religion and nationalism in Turkey under the ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalknma Partisi). [4]You can still admire there some magnificent mosaics on a golden background, which cover the vaults, domes and walls. 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For more information read our privacy policy. The floor, made of white marble, has been covered in a large, turquoise carpet for the comfort of worshippers during prayers. D.C. erisi o kadar havasz ve kt koku iinde ki namaza odaklanmak ok zor+ pic.twitter.com/ZvVnRSZkKS, Furkan Soylu (@abirusebiil) August 19, 2023. Why the Hagia Sophia's Conversion Back Into a Mosque Is Controversial The decision was approved by Turkey's conservative president, who's already restored three other Byzantine church. Washington, The building has been classified as a museum since 1934 after a declaration from Mustafa Kemal Atatrk, the first Turkish president and founder of the Republic of Turkey. The Diocese of Parramatta reaffirms the wise axiom attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, freedom; in all things, charity. In this spirit, Catholic Outlook publishes a variety of Catholic viewpoints. Turkeys Christian community, for example, is believed to number around 100,000 people, a tiny fraction in a country of more than 83 million. I Went To Trkiye on a Hair Transplant Journey. Although it suffered earthquake damage, two partial collapses, and underwent additions, the edifice that stands today in Istanbul is largely the one that was built in the sixth century. Together with his dog Savannah, adventurer Tom Turcich spent seven years walking 28,000 miles around the world. Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Common Coexistence (Abu Dhabi, February 4, 2019), inCiv. See M. Jgo A. Kaval, Turquie. Hagia Sophia, an stanbul landmark with a history dating back more than 1,500 years, is again in the spotlight due to an unpleasant odor that has led to complaints three years after it was converted from a museum to a mosque by the Turkish government, local media reported Monday. It is free to enter and the edifice is open every day. Another would be reopening the Halki Seminary, a Christian school of theology that opened in 1844 under Ottoman auspices, went victim to secular nationalism in 1971, but is still closed despite all the calls from advocates for religious freedom. 20057. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern are all within walking distance, as is the Sultanahmet tram station. See G. Antonazzi, Santa Sofia torna ad essere una moschea, inDaysItalia News, July 11, 2020. To repress Muslim minorities, oppressors around the world can employ Turkeys sovereignty argument to change the status of Hagia Sophia. Another scholar, Fred Donner, an expert on early Islam, argues that this political drive even distorted records of the earlier state of affairs. This divine wisdom is the source from which the right to freedom of belief and the freedom to be different derive. Hagia Sophia: All Your Questions About This Iconic Monument, Answered The Christian historian Eutychius even tells us that when Caliph Umar entered the city, the patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius, invited him to pray at the holiest of all Christian shrines: the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 99 percent of the population of Trkiye is Muslim and Turkish conservatives have long demanded that the edifice be turned back into a mosque. August 3, 2020. The exact address is: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydan No:1, 34122 Fatih/stanbul, Trkiye. In recent years, The Smithsonian Magazine reports, conservationists have claimed that the edifice is not getting the care it requires and a few months ago, archeologists have said that the mosque is suffering vandalism and damage due to the large number of visitors. I luoghi delle origini cristiane, Casale Monferrato (Al), Piemme, 1987, 169. Turkey's Erdogan Signs Decree Declaring Hagia Sophia a Mosque - The New ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan declared Istanbul's Hagia Sophia a mosque on Friday with the first Muslim prayers to begin in two weeks, after a top court ruled the ancient. At the end of the visit he wrote in Greek characters in the Golden Book of Guests:HagiaSophia tou Theou,The Holy Wisdom of God. [17]. In mid-2020, Turkey moved to convert the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia, a museum since 1934, into a mosque. Hagia Sophia: World Council of Churches appeals to Turkey on mosque See Sul mar che ci lega con lAfrica dor, inLimes. [7]. Paradoxically, this has ensured the survival of Orthodoxy under Turkish domination.[21]. For so long, Istanbul manifested itself as a tolerant metropolis where Jews, Christians, and Muslims coexisted peacefully. [1]. This building is an important part of the "Historic Sites of Istanbul" UNESCO World Heritage Site, in recognition of its rich multicultural history. Muslim leaders such as Yasir Qadhi defended the move and provided justifications in Islamic jurisprudence for the conversion. The problem is much wider. Millions of Muslims are being persecuted in China. The move was met with international criticism, with concerns about the preservation of the architectural and artistic treasures inside the structure. Yasir Ylmaz Erdogan had proposed restoring the UNESCO World Heritage site into a mosque, placing the almost 1,500-year-old building at the center of a struggle between those who want to preserve Turkeys secular roots and the presidents aspirations. The Council of Churches of the Middle East reads in the move a hard blow to the dialogue between Islam and Christianity. Who knows if Atatrk, when he transformed the mosque into a museum, had thought about the unpredictable outcomes of that historical choice! Imam Magliana: Santa Sofia? The central 160-foot-tall dome, built between 532 and 537 and restored several times over the centuries, is one of its most impressive features, along with the precious and spectacular mosaics that adorn its inside and the marble used throughout. [16]The decision of the Turkish state takes place at a historic moment, marked by various attempts at dialogue and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. Its status as a museum reflects the universal nature of its heritage, and makes it a powerful symbol for dialogue", Unescos director-general Audrey Azoulay said in a statement. The edifice is a working mosque since July 2020 and a very popular tourist attraction in Istanbul. No bishop will be removed from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from his parish.. What Turning Hagia Sophia into a Mosque Really Means Nearly three of every five teenage girls in the U.S. experience persistent sadness or hopelessness, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier A covenant that becomes open to more and more people over time is a theme that runs through parts of Scripture. laciviltacattolica.com/human-fraternity-for-world-peace-and-life-together/). Unpleasant odor in Hagia Sophia leads to concerns about preservation Therefore, the fact that people are forced to adhere to a certain religion or culture must be rejected, as too the imposition of a cultural way of life that others do not accept.[18], In the Document there is also a note concerning places of worship: The protection of places of worship temples, churches and mosques is a duty guaranteed by religions, human values, laws and international conventions.[19]. Thousands of Muslim Turks have prayed outside the building over the years to demand that it be reconverted to a place of worship. cit., 14. UNESCO has expressed its disappointment with the transformation of the museum into a mosque. I think of Hagia Sophia, and I am very saddened.[11], A few days earlier, the Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill, had expressed deep concern at the requests of some Turkish politicians to reconsider the museum status of Hagia Sophia [], one of the greatest monuments of Christian culture. And he also explained its importance for Orthodoxy. Erdogan declares Hagia Sophia a mosque after Turkish court ruling Will you be compensated if travel plans are impacted? Theres an on-site restaurant and bar serving Turkish and international cuisine. Many in Turkey will welcome the decision, and see it as an emphatic victory for Erdogans plans for the secular but predominantly Muslim country. July 31, 2020, Response: Hagia Sophias Status Change Threatens Cultural Rights, Heghnar Zeitlian Watenpaugh July 27, 2020, Response: Erasing History at the Hagia Sophia, Esra Akcan It's Converting Again. Renovations to the Hagia Sophia . Constructed as a Byzantine cathedral work on the Hagia Sophia was completed in 537. See the history of the city in F. Cardini, Un luogo di controversie. I will focus on the political implications of Hagia Sophias reconversion into a mosque for global Muslims. If its over-the-top luxury youre after, read our review of the opulent Raan Palace in Istanbul. After the original church that stood on the site since the fourth century burned down twice, Byzantine Emperor Justinian I commanded the construction of an immense and opulent replacement: Hagia Sophia. "It is regrettable that the Turkish decision was made without any form of dialogue or prior notice, the statement continued. The central 160-foot-tall dome, built between 532 and 537 and restored several times over the centuries, is one of its most impressive features, along with the precious and spectacular mosaics that . He is the author of Alien Citizens: State and Religious Minorities in Turkey and France (Cambridge University Press, 2019) and a co-author of Generating Generosity in Catholicism and Islam: Beliefs, Institutions and Public Goods Provision (Cambridge University Press, 2018). Istanbul's Hagia Sophia Reopens as a Mosque - The New York Times It is an affront to world Orthodoxy; it challenges the ancient legacy of Constantinople; it is against European countries, and it is also a resounding slap in the face to those who still believe that Turkey is a secular country. Turkey's decision to change the former cathedral into a mosque flies against the pluralist instincts of Islam's founders. Why is Hagia Sophia's (Re)Conversion into a Mosque Bad for Muslims? He explained that this is a tradition of mosques and that it is a symbol of conquest. On that occasion he took the name Atatrk, Father of the Turks., Now Erdoans gesture would contradict such historic behaviour. Sign up to receive more information about our events and programs. As a report by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding demonstrates, legal limitations do not prevent Muslims from opening new mosques in the United States but societal resistance makes it difficult. - The New York Times Opinion The Hagia Sophia Was a Cathedral, a Mosque and a Museum. Un tempio di luce, eds. Smarthistorys free Guide to Byzantine Art e-book. Mustafa Kemal, too, when he transformed the mosque into a museum in 1934, gave a signal to the Orthodox Balkan countries he wanted to befriend. "This court decision has made what we all know and experience in reality very clear, that todays Turkey is not secular, he said via WhatsApp. #hagiasophia https://t.co/xsrQhDmfWx. Heres what he learned. Would the Prophet Muhammad Convert Hagia Sophia? - The New York Times Just as Muhammad II succeeded in ending the Holy Roman Empire of the East, so now Erdoans leadership intends to challenge not only the Christian world, including Orthodox Russia, but also those who guard Islams most sacred places, Mecca and Medina. Erdoan frequently referred to Istanbul's multicultural legacies in international forums. Soon after the decision, state media broadcast video of crowds gathering outside the the sixth-century structure. The rooms and suites are modern and elegant, all featuring bathroom amenities and tea/coffee-making equipment. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. [20]It implies that the religious leader in the specific case, the Patriarch of Constantinople, elected by the Synod, but confirmed by the Sultan is the guarantor of Christian obedience. Hagia Sophia: Turkey turns iconic Istanbul museum into mosque In short, the decision to (re)convert Hagia Sophia to a mosque will damage the tolerant Muslim legacies of coexistence, fuel Islamophobia, and contribute to the rise of religious nationalism that undermines religion in the long run. M. Jgo A. Kaval, Turquie. If a dialogue does not involve the heart, it is of little use.[25]. Yasir Qadhi argues that Hagia Sophias conversion is not detrimental to Muslims living in the West because they live under secular constitutions that guarantee their religious freedoms. Years later, when the Prophet ruled Medina, he welcomed a group of Christians from the city of Najran to worship in his own mosque. What do art historians mean when they speak about the afterlife of an artwork or monument? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoans move to (re)convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque created two responses from American Muslims. Saint Sophia was, in some way, an extraordinary ecumenical space. [23]. His son, Bayezid II, welcomed the Jews who escaped from Spain after the Reconquista. Modest clothing is required of visitors (no short shorts, no tank tops, etc.) Istanbul's Hagia Sophia looks set to become a mosque after court ruling, Thousands of migrants risk lives to cross from Turkey to Greece, prayed outside the building over the years. Santa Sofia di Costantinopoli e la Descrizione di Paolo Silenziario,Rome, Viella, 2005, 42-45; 117. And I'm saying this neither as Greek nor as Orthodox but merely as a civilized person. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. We created Smarthistory to provide students around the world with the highest-quality educational resources for art and cultural heritagefor free. Tuma Celik, 56, a Syriac Christian and a member of Parliament with the Turkish pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party, or the HDP, said he was against turning the Hagia Sophia into a mosque. In 1934 it became a museum and is now a Unesco World. The way people visit Hagia Sophia is very different now that its been switched back into a mosque: The conversion from museum to mosque has somewhat affected the interior of this renowned building. Erdoan and the Hagia Sophia: Nostalgia for the Ottoman Empire, Turkeys Hagia Sophia Decision: A Stone That Hits No Birds, Hagia Sophia, Islamism, and Secularism in Turkey. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Istanbul's Hagia Sophia converted from a museum to a mosque July 29, 2020, Response: Beyond Conquest Narratives: Hagia Sophia, Past and Present, Patricia Blessing Caliph Umar, the servant of God and the commander of the faithful, gave them security for their possessions, their churches and crosses. He further assured: Their churches shall not be taken for residence and shall not be demolished nor shall their crosses be removed.. The basic question is: what is hiding in the decision of the Turkish President? The decision to convert the building in Istanbul, Turkey from a museum back into a mosque has . Receive occasional emails about new Smarthistory content. The recent move is part of a longer history of the Hagia Sophia as a religiously contested space. Even four centuries after the Muslim conquest, as the Israeli historian Oded Peri observes, the urban landscape of Jerusalem was still dominated by Christian public and religious buildings.. Think you could handle it? Lela Gilbert. July 31, 2020, Response: The Conversion of Hagia Sophia: Desire, Spectacle, and a Historical Re-Enactment, mr Harmanah Hagia Sophia: Turkey turns iconic Istanbul museum into mosque [24]. Now it is on its way to the assertion of absolute power.[22]. Sergius and Bacchus, preserved as the mosque, Kk Ayasofya, SantApollinare in Classe, Ravenna (Italy), Empress Theodora, rhetoric, and Byzantine primary sources, Art and architecture of Saint Catherines Monastery at Mount Sinai, Byzantine Mosaic of a Personification, Ktisis, The Byzantine Fieschi Morgan cross reliquary, Cross-cultural artistic interaction in the Early Byzantine period, Regional variations in Middle Byzantine architecture, Middle Byzantine secular architecture and urban planning, A work in progress: Middle Byzantine mosaics in Hagia Sophia, Mosaics and microcosm: the monasteries of Hosios Loukas, Nea Moni, and Daphni, Byzantine frescoes at Saint Panteleimon, Nerezi, Book illumination in the Eastern Mediterranean, A Byzantine vision of Paradise The Harbaville Triptych, Cross-cultural artistic interaction in the Middle Byzantine period, Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, Torcello, Mobility and reuse: the Romanos chalices and the chalice with hares, Byzantium, Kyivan Rus, and their contested legacies, Plunder, War, and the Horses of San Marco, Byzantine architecture and the Fourth Crusade, Late Byzantine secular architecture and urban planning, Picturing salvation Choras brilliant Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, Charlemagne (part 1 of 2): An introduction, Charlemagne (part 2 of 2): The Carolingian revival, Matthew in the Coronation Gospels and Ebbo Gospels, Depicting Judaism in a medieval Christian ivory, Bronze doors, Saint Michaels, Hildesheim (Germany), Pilgrimage routes and the cult of the relic, Church and Reliquary of Sainte-Foy, France, Pentecost and Mission to the Apostles Tympanum, Basilica Ste-Madeleine, Vzelay (France), Manuscript production in the abbeys of Normandy, The Romanesque churches of Tuscany: San Miniato in Florence and Pisa Cathedral, The Art of Conquest in England and Normandy, The Second Norman Conquest | Lanfrancs Reforms, The English castle: dominating the landscape, Motte and Bailey Castles and the Norman Conquest | Windsor Castle Case Study, Historiated capitals, Church of Sant Miquel, Camarasa, The Painted Apse of Sant Climent, Tall, with Christ in Majesty, Plaque with the Journey to Emmaus and Noli Me Tangere, Conservation: Cast of the Prtico de la Gloria, Cecily Brown on medieval sculptures of the Madonna and Child, Birth of the Gothic: Abbot Suger and the ambulatory at St. Denis, Saint Louis Bible (Moralized Bible or Bible moralise), Christs Side Wound and Instruments of the Passion from the Prayer Book of Bonne of Luxembourg, Ivory casket with scenes from medieval romances, Four styles of English medieval architecture at Ely Cathedral, Matthew Pariss itinerary maps from London to Palestine, The Crucifixion, c. 1200 (from Christus triumphans to Christus patiens), Death of the Virgin, South portal, Strasbourg Cathedral, Synagoga and Ecclesia, Strasbourg Cathedral, Hiding the divine in a medieval Madonna: Shrine of the Virgin, Venices San Marco, a mosaic of spiritual treasure, Spanish Gothic cathedrals, an introduction, https://smarthistory.org/hagia-sophia-as-a-mosque/. The basilica has gone down in history as one of the greatest architectural masterpieces ever.[5]. Hagia Sophia - HISTORY [3], After 900 years, in 1453, with the conquest of the city by the Ottomans, Sultan Muhammad II transformed the basilica into a mosque. "Hagia Sophia is an architectural masterpiece and a unique testimony to interactions between Europe and Asia over the centuries.

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