Hagia Sophia is an architectural marvel and holds its significance globally as a UNESCO world heritage site and tourist attraction
It was an important attraction for both the Byzantine and Ottoman empire in the mystical city of Istanbul, where it served as a cathedral for a thousand years and a mosque for nearly 500 years.
It was then converted to a museum in 1934, after which it has long been hailed as a symbol of the coexistence of Christianity and Islam, a cultural junction between East and West.
This decision was a nod to Istanbul's multi-religious heritage and the structure's status as a symbol of Christian and Muslim unity.
"Hagia Sophia is an architectural masterpiece and a unique testimony to interactions between Europe and Asia over the centuries," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said. "Its status as a museum reflects the universal nature of its heritage, and makes it a powerful symbol for dialogue.
Revered by Muslims and Christians alike for 1,500 years, the Hagia Sophia had its status as a museum annulled earlier in July.
Sixth century Hagia Sophia opens as a mosque on July 25, after 86 years.
Kneeling in Prayer
After the call to prayer rang out from four minarets surrounding the mosque, whose rose-pink walls and huge grey dome have dominated Istanbul since Christian Byzantine times, hundreds knelt in prayer inside the building.
After the call to prayer rang out from four minarets surrounding the mosque, whose rose-pink walls and huge grey dome have dominated Istanbul since Christian Byzantine times, hundreds knelt in prayer inside.
The structure, has since been renamed The Grand Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Mr. Erdogan and his top ministers, wearing white facemasks as a precaution against COVID-19, knelt on blue carpets at the start of a ceremony which marks the return of Muslim worship to the ancient monument.
The Flip Side
That excitement has not been universally shared. Church leaders and some Western countries have sharply criticized Turkey’s move, saying the shift to exclusive Muslim worship at Hagia Sophia risks deepening religious divisions.
New white curtains covered an image of Mary and Jesus which would have faced the worshippers, but pictures of angels were still visible on arches supporting the mosque’s cavernous dome.
The conversion of the edifice, has led to an international outcry. Many countries such as Greece have stated this to be a “day of mourning” over Hagia Sophia's return as a mosque.
This decision made by the Turkish authorities was deeply regretted by UNESCO, and has sparked up quite a lot of controversy. This may create, for some time, an unbridgeable gap between Turkey and the Christian world.
By : Vismaya Murali
8th Semester
Gopalan School of Architecture and Planning