The decision by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reconvert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque in July 2020 marked a significant moment in Turkish politics and its international relations. This iconic structure, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has stood as a symbol of the complex layers of history, religion, and culture that define Istanbul and, by extension, Turkey itself. Originally a Byzantine cathedral, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and then became a museum in 1935 under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's secular reforms.
Domestic Implications: Secularism and National Identity
The reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque is symbolic of the broader tug-of-war between secularism and religious nationalism within Turkey. For Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), this move is not merely about a change in the building's status but a reassertion of Islamic identity and Ottoman heritage in the public sphere, signaling a departure from Ataturk's secularist principles that have guided the Republic of Turkey since its foundation.
This decision has resonated with Erdogan's conservative base, reinforcing his political position amid economic challenges and questions about his leadership. However, it has also sparked debate within Turkey about the direction of the country, the role of religion in public life, and the legacy of secularism as envisioned by Ataturk.
International Relations: Reactions and Consequences
The reconversion has had immediate repercussions beyond Turkey's borders, straining its relations with Greece, the European Union, and the Orthodox Christian world. Greece, with its deep historical and religious ties to the Hagia Sophia, condemned the decision as an affront to its heritage and a blow to Christian-Muslim relations. Similarly, the European Union and several of its member states expressed disappointment, viewing the move as a setback for interfaith dialogue and a challenge to Turkey's commitment to secularism and cultural diversity.
Moreover, the decision has implications for Turkey's soft power and its image on the international stage. While it may bolster Turkey's standing in some Muslim-majority countries by projecting Erdogan as a champion of Islamic values, it risks alienating Western partners and complicates Turkey's already fraught
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