The Turkish government has recently made the decision to convert Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia Museum into a mosque. This decision marks a significant shift in cultural and political dynamics both within Turkey and internationally. Below are some key points to consider in assessing the implications of this move.
Turkey’s Stand: The Symbolism and Politics of Hagia Sophia
For President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), this transformation symbolises the historical conquest of Christian Constantinople by the Ottomans and the perceived superiority of the Islamic world. Nationalist-Islamist sympathisers also view this as an assertion of Turkey’s heritage and sovereignty.
Beyond its historical significance, Hagia Sophia stands as a prominent political symbol. It is not just the most popular tourist attraction in Turkey, but a focal point for domestic and international politics. The plan of conversion can also be seen as a strategy to gain political support after AKP’s loss in several municipal elections.
This decision coincides with the USA’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel—a move that stirs up tensions due to the significant population of Arab-Muslims in Jerusalem who are increasingly hostile over the USA’s stance on the Israel-Palestine issue. In this context, the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque may gain the political support of Arab countries for Turkey.
Furthermore, it has been suggested that the government need not defer to the courts regarding the fate of Hagia Sophia. Legal rulings could lend legitimacy to the government’s proposal, and there has been little opposition within Turkey as religious minorities often avoid involvement in controversial subjects. Turkey maintains that the status of the Hagia Sophia is a domestic matter and international interference isn’t necessary. This stance was asserted in response to Greece’s objection to the conversion.
Greece’s Stand: Ongoing Diplomatic Tensions
There have been ongoing diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Greece, with Hagia Sophia as a key point of contention. The Greek government argues that the museum, being a world cultural heritage site, is being used for purposes outside of its designation. They have previously objected to readings from the Quran taking place inside Hagia Sophia during the 567th-anniversary celebration of the Ottoman invasion of the former Byzantine capital.
In response to Turkey’s actions, Greece has appealed to UNESCO—the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—on the grounds that the conversion violates the ‘Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.’ UNESCO has also expressed reservations about Turkey’s plans.
USA’s Stand: A Bridge Between Cultures
The USA’s position is that the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque could hinder its role in serving humanity as a bridge between differing faiths and cultures.
Background of Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia was originally a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral, which was later converted into an Ottoman imperial mosque following the fall of Constantinople, the capital city of the Roman Empire, to Sultan Mehmet II’s Ottoman forces in 1453. For many years, Hagia Sophia was Istanbul’s most significant mosque.
In 1934, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, converted this mosque into a museum as part of a broader push for secularism. The 1,500-year-old structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which signifies its special cultural and physical significance.