Hagia Sophia which is a famous historical Landmark in Istanbul
historically known as Constantinople. The Hagia Sophia is an encyclopedia OF History
within itself, while being a controversial topic it has been a part of debates
throughout modern history because of its status as Greek Orthodox Christian The cathedral which was later converted to a Mosque after Ottomans under the command
of Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror laid a tactical siege to the ancient city of
Constantinople was a dream of every commander to conquer but this was
written to be accomplished by Sultan Mehmed. The conquest of Red Apple (Before
1453 the Red Apple was believed to be the globe held in the
right hand of a giant statue of the Emperor Justinian in front of Haghia
Sophia) led to the conversion of Haghia Sophia into a Mosque.
This started a new chapter of debate whether it was just to
convert a cathedral into a mosque? Was it morally just? While the flag bearers of
secularism considered it absolutely wrong to do such an act on the contrary all
the conservative class strongly promoted this move among masses and religious
clerics. But things do not remain the same way so the time came to the dynasty which
founded the modern turkey, the ottomans were exiled from there own state by the newly formed government in Izmir by Kamal Ataturk who was previously a
commander of Ottoman Royal Force converted the Holy Mosque of Hagia Sophia into
a museum and the building secured its status till day.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the
decision after a court annulled the site's museum status which is also a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The court in a historical decision called the move by the founding father of Turkey Kamal Ataturk’s move to convert the mosque into a museum
as illegal.
Today turkey’s President officially signed the presidential
declaration to restore the status of Hagia Sophia as Mosque and shared its screen
shot on his twitter handle.
Hayırlı olsun. pic.twitter.com/MzP6nzn9Jc— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) July 10, 2020
Shortly after the move, the first call to prayer was recited
at the Hagia Sophia and was broadcast on all of Turkey's main news channels.
The cultural site's social media channels have now been taken down.
World Reaction:
UNESCO strongly condemned this decision and stated that they
are deeply Regretted by the move. The organization n stated this must have been
discussed with them beforehand.
The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church has condemned the
move, as has Greece - home to many millions of Orthodox followers.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said it was an "open
provocation to the civilized world".
"The nationalism displayed by President Erdogan...
takes his country back six centuries," she said in a statement.
The court ruling "absolutely confirms that there is no
independent justice" in Turkey, she added.
While Court stated “The cabinet decision in 1934 that ended
its use as a mosque and defined it as a museum did not comply with laws,"
it said.
While the move is popular with conservative religious
supporters of President Erdogan, Turkey's most famous author, Orhan Pamuk said
the decision would take away the "pride" some Turks had in being a
secular Muslim nation.
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