ICC Note: The largest Byzantium monastery in Istanbul, previously part of the Hagia Sophia Museum complex is scheduled to be re-opened as a mosque following the completion of renovations next year. Controversy has been swirling following the comments of high ranking ministers about the fate of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul itself. Already two smaller Hagia Sophia churches have been reconverted to mosques in smaller cities throughout Turkey. These moves highlight the greater visibility of Islam within society, as well as the struggle for full recognition of the rights of Turkey’s Christian minorities.
By Vercihan Ziglioğlu
11/26/2013 Turkey (Hurriyet Daily News) – The largest Byzantium monastery in Istanbul will be converted into a mosque after its restoration next year.
The Monastery of Stoudios, also known as the İmrahor Monument, will be turned into a mosque and be titled İmrahor İlyas Bey Mosque. The renovation of the mosque, which forms part of the Hagia Sophia Museum, will follow the same fate as that of Hagia Sophia churches in Trabzon and İznik, which had been already turned into mosques.
“I wouldn’t like to speak as a member of a council but my personal opinion is that cultural heritage shouldn’t be reflected as an antagonistic heritage. If we reflect it like this, it will damage societies on a macro level,” said Laki Vingas, acting as representatives of the Directorate General of Foundations.
Vingas added that the issue creates grief within society, and it was not only the Greek community’s problem.
“Cultural heritage is universal heritages, meaning that they are humanity’s common heritage,” he said.
İmrahor’s conversion into a mosque came at a time debate continues as to whether to reopen Hagia Sophia as a place of worship. Most recently, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç has expressed his hope to see the Hagia Sophia to be used as a mosque.
Vingas said: “My personal view is that when you are trying to create a new vision you should be careful not to create new problems for the future.”
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