Turkiye Reopens Kariye Mosque: A Controversial Transformation
Turkiye made headlines on Monday as it reopened the Kariye Mosque in Istanbul, a building that was once an ancient Orthodox church. The mosque had undergone various transformations over the years, from being a Byzantine church to a mosque and then a museum. However, in 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the conversion of the building back into a Muslim place of worship, following a similar controversial ruling on the iconic Hagia Sophia.
President Erdogan’s decision to reconvert these historical buildings into mosques has been viewed as part of his efforts to appeal to his conservative and nationalist supporters. However, it has also sparked tensions with prelates in both the Orthodox and Catholic churches. The reopening of the Kariye Mosque was declared by Erdogan during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, where worshippers gathered to perform their prayers.
Despite the controversy surrounding the transformation of these historical sites, visitors have expressed mixed feelings about the changes. One French tourist, Michel, who had visited the Kariye Mosque before its reopening, shared his thoughts on the restoration efforts. He noted that while he was initially apprehensive about the work that had been carried out, he ultimately found that the frescoes were accessible and well-preserved.
However, not everyone is pleased with the conversion of these historic sites into mosques. Greece’s foreign affairs ministry condemned the move as a “provocation,” stating that it alters the character of the former church and harms the UNESCO world heritage site. Neighboring Greece had previously reacted strongly to the decision to convert the Holy Savior in Chora, another Byzantine church, into a mosque.
The history of these buildings is deeply intertwined with Turkiye’s complex past. The Kariye Mosque was originally a Byzantine church adorned with 14th-century frescoes before being converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. It later became a museum as Turkiye sought to establish a more secular identity after World War II.
Similarly, Hagia Sophia, once a symbol of Eastern Christianity, was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans and later turned into a museum by Ataturk in an effort to promote religious neutrality. However, nearly a century later, Erdogan’s decision to revert Hagia Sophia back into a mosque reflects his party’s Islamist roots.
Despite the controversies surrounding these transformations, visitors like Michel appreciate the historical significance and preservation efforts at the Kariye Mosque. He described it as “timeless” and “intimate,” contrasting it with the more touristy atmosphere of Hagia Sophia.
In conclusion, the reopening of the Kariye Mosque marks another chapter in Turkiye’s complex relationship with its historical and religious heritage. While some view these transformations as a way to honor the country’s Islamic roots, others see them as erasing important aspects of its diverse past. The debate over these iconic buildings continues to spark discussions about identity, heritage, and religious freedom in modern-day Turkiye.