The Turkish government lied to the world when it declared that the mosaics of Hagia Sophia would be protected. The iconography is covered up when Islamic prayers are not being said. The upper gallery of Hagia Sophia has also been closed to tourists.
This is very likely a first step to permanently cover or erase the iconography. The flags of the Taliban and Hamas have both been raised inside Hagia Sophia. The most extreme and fanatical elements in the Muslim world are behind Erdogan. Erdogan has lost the support of much of the native Turkish population but he has made Islamists throughout the world very happy.
After writing one letter to Turkish officials, UNESCO has gone back to sleep and is ignoring the continued desecration of Hagia Sophia. The international media is continuing to write about Hagia Sophia but the protests from the academics have gone silent once again. All the worst fears about Hagia Sophia are being realized.
The covering up of Christian iconography can be construed as disrespectful, if not blasphemous. Erdogan has failed his own citizens by causing the further spread of coronavirus but he is a hero for the world’s Jihadists. When it comes to the future of the mosaics of Hagia Sophia the Jihadists are likely to have more influence on Erdogan than Turkish critics of the conversion of Hagia Sophia or foreign governments who have criticized the conversion.
6 replies on “Hagia Sophia Diaries 15”
Bank runs are beginning in Turkey. The Turkish Lira has dropped so fast against the US Dollar and EURO that it has created concern among average Turks. And since Erdogan’s son in law is Finance Minister and the Turkish Central Bank head is an Erdogan lapdog the people have lost faith in the national currency. They’re buying gold and US Dollars/EUROS like crazy. This could snowball in coming days: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/turkey-hit-bank-runs-currency-panic-locals-sell-their-cars-and-houses-buy-gold-while-lira
Opposition to Erdogan is likely to grow. But even so, he is such a narcissist he will continue ruling Turkey like a dictator. He has more motivation now to instigate conflicts in order to portray himself as a Turkish national hero. His Hagia Sophia stunt was a disaster, he may very well try something similar by provoking Greece.
Erdogan knows his only defense against being arrested for corruption, tried and convicted is to stay President. But Turks know they do not have a democracy. They know Erdogan and his AKP party control the news media, Courts, Police and Armed Forces. Still, they’re angry about the economy and his support is eroding. If bank runs continue and the price of staples increases where average Turks can’t meet their basic needs, this could turn to civil disorder and open rioting in the streets. Just like in Iran before the Shah fell. Either way, it works to our benefit to see this pariah dictator in political trouble.
The media fallout against Turkey regarding Hagia Sophia continues. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/turkeys-long-tradition-of-church-desecration/
Great article, I’m surprised it was written by a Turkish journalist. With few exceptions most of them toe the nationalist line, to one degree or another. She must have escaped the grade school brainwashing most Turks school children go through?
She is very good. She is a hero for publicizing the actions of the Turkish government.