It appears that only a small fraction of Muslims have reacted positively to Turkish President Erdogan’s plans to convert Hagia Sophia into a Mosque. Not even the statement that Erdogan plans to liberate the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has been able to generate much enthusiasm. Sure, a few radicals in Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and a few others have praised Erdogan’s plans, but for most of the Muslim world there is complete indifference or outright criticism.
Most surprising is the news that Saudi Arabia has adopted a critical stance toward Erdogan’s intentions for Hagia Sophia. The refusal of the Muslim world to enthusiastically back Turkish plans is very welcome and bodes well for the future of Christian-Muslim relations. Today, in the New York Times there is an op-ed by a Turkish writer opposing the conversion of Hagia Sophia and also calling for the reopening of the Patriarchal School on the island of Halki.
The op-ed can be found on the post for this blog entitled “Hagia Sophia New Sources”. This can be found by looking up New York Times in the search engine and clicking on the first link. Under the various links, the first full article is today’s op-ed in the New York Times.
2 replies on “Hagia Sophia Diaries Day 6”
His actions are not being received very well in the rest of the world, never mind Turkey. He is widely perceived as resorting to nationalist issues because his economy is in tatters: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3094037/why-hagia-sophia-move-spells-trouble-turkeys-president-erdogan
Erdogan is inviting leaders from the rest of the world to visit Hagia Sohia-including the Pope. But I doubt many, even the Muslims, will want to be associated with this front-page intolerance. It’s apparent Erdogan is concerned about how his actions have been received around the world and is trying to smooth-over any anger he has caused. It won’t work. The pics of the Byzantine frescoes with curtains in front of them is going to be widely publicized and will upset more than a few around the world.