Erdoğan previously described calls for Hagia Sophia’s conversion to mosque a ‘trap’

News About Turkey - NAT
2 Min Read

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who on Friday signed a decree converting the ancient Hagia Sophia in İstanbul to a mosque, a year ago rebuffed calls for the monument’s conversion, describing them as a “trap,” according to a video footage circulating on social media.

In the footage Erdoğan is seen giving a televised interview in the presence of young people ahead of the March 31 local elections in 2019. When asked about demands from Islamists concerning the conversion of the Hagia Sophia to a mosque, he says: “They don’t know the world. They don’t know who they are speaking to. As a political leader, I have not lost my direction to be deceived by this trap.”

The monument. which was a church before the conquest of İstanbul in 1453, became a mosque under Ottoman rule. Since the establishment of secular Turkey in 1923, it has served as a museum open to visitors for a fee.

Back then Erdoğan also said conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque would lead to more disadvantages for Turkey than advantages and hinted that such a move could trigger attacks on mosques in various countries around the world.

He accused those making calls for Hagia Sophia’s conversion of disregarding the possible risks such a move would pose.

Erdoğan’s change of stance regarding the status of the monument is interpreted as a move to increase the declining support for his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) by playing on the nation’s nationalistic tendencies.

Recent polls show support for the AKP, which has been ruling as a single party government since 2002, at around 30 percent.

Source: Turkish Minute

Share This Article
Founded by a small group of Turkish/Kurdish scholars who have been subjected to persecution at the hands of the Erdogan dictatorship, News About Turkey (NAT) has emerged as a platform that is both exceptional and invaluable. Our objective is to provide you with a comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of the events and developments in Turkey (Türkiye), a country with profound historical and geopolitical importance, a vibrant culture, and a strategic location. Our founders, who have been purged by the Erdogan regime after the so-called coup attempt, are aware of the significance of journalism that is both free and independent. Because of this understanding, we are committed to providing reporting and analysis that is both objective and comprehensive. To give you the most thorough coverage of Turkey, we go further than just scratching the surface. Keep in touch with us so that you can have a better understanding of Turkey's developing story as well as vital and comprehensive news items. Whether you are a resident of Turkey, a member of the Turkish/Kurdish diaspora, or simply someone who has a strong interest in this vital country, we are the most reliable source for news that not only informs but also inspires and engages you.
Leave a comment