This is because “Allahu akbar” does not mean “Allah is great,” as AP has it here, but “Allah is greater,” i.e., superior to your god. The conversion of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque is a simultaneous declaration that Islam is superior to both secularism and Christianity. It is a manifestation of Erdogan’s ever clearer determination to cast himself as a new Mehmet the Conqueror and to restore the Ottoman caliphate.
“Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan formally makes Hagia Sophia a mosque,” by Suzan Fraser, Associated Press, July 10, 2020:
ANKARA, Turkey — The president of Turkey on Friday formally converted Istanbul’s sixth-century Hagia Sophia back into a mosque and declared it open for Muslim worship, hours after a high court annulled a 1934 decision that had made the religious landmark a museum.
The decision sparked deep dismay among Orthodox Christians. Originally a cathedral, Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque after Istanbul’s conquest by the Ottoman Empire but had been a museum for the last 86 years, drawing millions of tourists annually.
There was jubilation outside the terracotta-hued structure with its cascading domes and four minarets. Dozens of people awaiting the court’s ruling chanted “Allah is great!” when the news broke. A large crowd later prayed outside it.
In the capital of Ankara, legislators stood and applauded as the decision was read in Parliament…
Fraser says
Happening to many churches in the west. Anyone surprised? Allah is pleased. Time, and naivety, is on his side.
Tony Naim says
This event hits at the core values in the minds of Muslims.
The ecstasy of winning over Christians, the justification of Subjugating them
In front of some deity that Commands them to do so.
This is an ideology shared by Muslims everywhere, It is supported by the Muslim Kurds Who are at odds with the Turks over everything else and it is supported by Muslims even here in America.
Not one Muslim organization Or country condemned this conversion.
Reasserting that Islam is superior, over Christianity and Judaism, given the fact that Erdogan also said the liberation of AlAksa will be next!
Erdogan is behaving like a tiger, he needs to be subdued like one.
If this act infuses his supporters in Turkey and elsewhere with Viagra,
The West needs to inject him with high dose of Estrogen, beginning with
The abolition of DHIMMITUDE and ending By shoving down Erdogan’s throat (and the throat of the Organization Of Islamic States) a SECULAR political system Based on PERSONAL FREEDOM and the FREEDOM OF RELIGION, HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY.
mortimer says
Erdogan proved that Islam is the most intolerant religion.
How would Erdogan feel if Al Aqsa were turned into a church or if the Kaaba were turned into a cathedral?
David says
The muslims have a track record of appropriating other peoples property. The Kaaba used to be a Pagan temple.
Tony Naim says
I would also like to correct the statement of Mr Spencer about Orthodox Christians being the only group being dismayed by this conversion: at the time Hagia Sophia was built,
There were no Orthodox, or Catholic, or Protestant or God knows what!
Christians were Christians-PERIOD. Erdogan’s act is stab in the heart of everyone.
Against this Kind of Savagery, we are all one, With Jews being on board as well.
barbaracvm1 says
I hate to say this. BUT I almost would rather Hague Sophie be bombed than let it become mosque.
David says
Barbara: That is a bit drastic. Why not bomb the nearby Blue Mosque instead? They look very similar.
Robert Spencer says
That statement is largely true, but in any case, as is clearly marked, it is in the AP report. It is not my words.
SAFI says
agree 100% , I wrote this myself elsewhere. This doesn’t only concern the Greek Orthodox Church or Orthodox Christians more broadly but Roman Catholics also (and even Atheists who are opposed to Erdolf’s display of islamic supremacy).
A “traditional” Roman Catholic Pope would be up in arms over this insult, unfortunately Francis disappoints yet again
David says
“Is the Pope a Catholic?” Old joke, but now surely a valid question. I like your name suggestion!
Vladimir says
But because it is only the Orthodox Christians who would want to see it restored as an Orthodox Church, the Hagia Sophia will remain defiled by Islam as a mosque. Everyone else wants it as something else; the Vatican would prefer it be a Roman Catholic church, but failing that, a Museum, for example. So nothing will be done about this.
gravenimage says
The idea that it is only Orthodox Christians who are disturbed by this is quite mistaken. I am not Orthodox Christian, and I am sickened by this great Cathedral being turned back into a Mosque.
And I have never heard the Vatican, under the current pontiff or anyone else, say that Hagia Sophia must be turned into a Catholic Church. Citations, please.
As for it remaining a museum, I think that it about the best we can possibly hope for right now, given facts on the ground in Turkey. My noting this does not mean that I do not see returning Hagia Sophia to its glory as an Orthodox Church is not my ideal.
Keith O says
GI, I agree with you. I’m a pagan and even for me the perversion of this building by turning it into a mosque is sickening.
gravenimage says
Thank you, Keith. Many people are deeply troubled by this.
And while this specifically targets Christians, Secularists in Turkey are also at greater risk now.
GreekEmpress says
I’m Eastern Rite but my ancestors were Orthodox, and I would love to see Hagia Sofia restored to the Orthodox Church.
gravenimage says
+1
Martin says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJdNll3_Kjc
European pagan says
I think it’s not good for tourism
SAFI says
That depends on what each of us as individuals will decide to do (since churches are probably too spineless to explicitly prohibit their followers from visiting). Personally I’ve already decided to never visit as long as it stays a mosque. I regret having missed the opportunity to visit all those years, but I won’t set foot in the Great Church without my shoes.
mortimer says
Boycott all Turkish goods.
OLD GUY says
Turkey and its islamic leadership see this as a major victory over the christian world.
gravenimage says
Turkey: Muslims scream “Allahu akbar” at news of Hagia Sophia’s conversion to mosque
……………
Of course–this is an act of Muslim supremacism.