NationStates

Gov’t may look to change Hagia Sophia’s status

The Turkish government may start works to change the current status of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), a landmark mosque-turned-museum in Istanbul, daily Hürriyet reported on June 5.

The matter of Hagia Sophia’s status came up when Turkey marked the 567th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of the former Byzantine capital by reading passages from the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in the Hagia Sophia.

Greece objected to the celebratory event while Ankara shot back, accusing Athens of making “futile and ineffective statements.”

The issue was also brought into question on June 3 during the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

“Prayers can be performed and Al-Fatiha surah can be recited in the Hagia Sophia. Only our great nation can decide this,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at the MYK meeting, according to anonymous sources quoted by daily Hürriyet.

According to the sources, the president reminded that the Hagia Sophia is regarded as the symbol of Istanbul’s conquest, and that it was given the museum status in 1934 by a decision of the then-cabinet.

“Start works for Hagia Sophia, we will assess and talk about it,” Erdoğan told the AKP members at the meeting.

“Hagia Sophia can still be visited by tourists, just like Sultanahmet. Our nation should make this decision,” he said.

Erdoğan also urged the AKP members to be “very sensitive” about this and not to rush the works regarding the Hagia Sophia.

The sources also said that the praise from other parties for reciting prayers in Hagia Sophia also came up during the MYK meeting.

South Reinkalistan wrote:An expansion in opportunity for religious beliefs to proliferate themselves is a net loss for societal development on the whole.

For a more contextual perspective, this is merely constituent of a continuing trend of desecularisation in the Turkish state. It's a minor thing that represents something much larger -- and much more worrying.

Nemohsis wrote:

South Reinkalistan wrote:An expansion in opportunity for religious beliefs to proliferate themselves is a net loss for societal development on the whole.

For a more contextual perspective, this is merely constituent of a continuing trend of desecularisation in the Turkish state. It's a minor thing that represents something much larger -- and much more worrying.

Ataturk's secular state is what makes it, along with Israel, a true exception to to lots of the problems of the Middle East that European dumbness helped perpetuate.

Nemohsis wrote:

South Reinkalistan wrote:An expansion in opportunity for religious beliefs to proliferate themselves is a net loss for societal development on the whole.

For a more contextual perspective, this is merely constituent of a continuing trend of desecularisation in the Turkish state. It's a minor thing that represents something much larger -- and much more worrying.

Ataturk's secular state is what makes it, along with Israel, a true exception to to lots of the problems of the Middle East that European dumbness helped perpetuate.

Hakinda Herseyi Duymak istiyorum wrote:Speaking on the 567th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, erdogan said that the Ayasofya Museum will be reopened for worship.What are your thoughts on this subject ?

My opinion
Erdogan, who lost votes in polls, tries to harm Ottoman values

Agarntrop wrote:Wow, NSG agreeing on something?

Hakinda Herseyi Duymak istiyorum wrote:Speaking on the 567th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, erdogan said that the Ayasofya Museum will be reopened for worship.What are your thoughts on this subject ?

My opinion
Erdogan, who lost votes in polls, tries to harm Ottoman values

Gov’t may look to change Hagia Sophia’s status

The Turkish government may start works to change the current status of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), a landmark mosque-turned-museum in Istanbul, daily Hürriyet reported on June 5.

The matter of Hagia Sophia’s status came up when Turkey marked the 567th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of the former Byzantine capital by reading passages from the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in the Hagia Sophia.

Greece objected to the celebratory event while Ankara shot back, accusing Athens of making “futile and ineffective statements.”

The issue was also brought into question on June 3 during the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

“Prayers can be performed and Al-Fatiha surah can be recited in the Hagia Sophia. Only our great nation can decide this,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at the MYK meeting, according to anonymous sources quoted by daily Hürriyet.

According to the sources, the president reminded that the Hagia Sophia is regarded as the symbol of Istanbul’s conquest, and that it was given the museum status in 1934 by a decision of the then-cabinet.

“Start works for Hagia Sophia, we will assess and talk about it,” Erdoğan told the AKP members at the meeting.

“Hagia Sophia can still be visited by tourists, just like Sultanahmet. Our nation should make this decision,” he said.

Erdoğan also urged the AKP members to be “very sensitive” about this and not to rush the works regarding the Hagia Sophia.

The sources also said that the praise from other parties for reciting prayers in Hagia Sophia also came up during the MYK meeting.

Nemohsis wrote:F

I hope to see the day that Greek newspapers can truly say 'A Greek has Reconquered Constantinople'.

I'm pretty sure the fact that Turkey prob won't miss out on any tourist revenue helps Erdogan to use this opportunity to appease the religious factions. It was a great museum, and I wish it will go back to that way. I loved that place.

South Reinkalistan wrote:

Agarntrop wrote:Wow, NSG agreeing on something?

Woah, we can't have that! Quick, get an ultra-islamic radical in here to start praising Erdogan!

Rojava Free State wrote:

South Reinkalistan wrote:Woah, we can't have that! Quick, get an ultra-islamic radical in here to start praising Erdogan!

Al mumatah or whatever his name was has bones to pick with everyone.

Nemohsis wrote:F

I hope to see the day that Greek newspapers can truly say 'A Greek has Reconquered Constantinople'.

I'm pretty sure the fact that Turkey prob won't miss out on any tourist revenue helps Erdogan to use this opportunity to appease the religious factions. It was a great museum, and I wish it will go back to that way. I loved that place.

Kargintina the Third wrote:1000% certain Erdogan wants the Ottoman Empire back

The Reformed American Republic wrote:

Kargintina the Third wrote:1000% certain Erdogan wants the Ottoman Empire back

Looks that way. I wonder if he will one day try to conquer more territory like the ottomans did before.

The Reformed American Republic wrote:

Kargintina the Third wrote:1000% certain Erdogan wants the Ottoman Empire back

Looks that way. I wonder if he will one day try to conquer more territory like the ottomans did before.

Valrifell wrote:

The Reformed American Republic wrote:Looks that way. I wonder if he will one day try to conquer more territory like the ottomans did before.

Isn't he occupying a part of Northern Syria right now?

Valrifell wrote:

The Reformed American Republic wrote:Looks that way. I wonder if he will one day try to conquer more territory like the ottomans did before.

Isn't he occupying a part of Northern Syria right now?

The Reformed American Republic wrote:

Valrifell wrote:
Isn't he occupying a part of Northern Syria right now?

whole country of Greece.

South Reinkalistan wrote:

The Reformed American Republic wrote:whole country of Greece.

Oh boy...

But yeah, no.