Built in the 11th century, the Monastery of Chora became a mosque in the Middle Ages and a museum in 1958. Recently, by presidential decree, it was decided to become a mosque again. What do experts say in Istanbul?
The Chora Monastery in Constantinople was a Christian place of worship for about 450 years. Since Constantinople was conquered by Sultan Mehmet II in 1453 it belonged to the Ottomans, who in the 16th century turned it into a mosque. The same happened with Hagia Sophia which was built in the 6th century.
In both cases, however, they largely preserved their architectural and cultural character. In the Monastery of Chora, important mosaics and frescoes from the beginning of the 14th century can still be seen today. During Islamic prayer, such depictions are simply covered.
After the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, both Hagia Sophia in 1935 and Hora Monastery in 1948 were converted into museums. However, in 2020, following a decree of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, they were turned into mosques.
The symbolic meaning of buildings
For the AKP government, the buildings have symbolic significance beyond their value as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The AKP places particular importance on Islamic values ​​and considers itself to represent the successor state of the Ottoman Empire in modern Turkey. The word “conquest” was often used by the pro-government media. The Diyanet Bureau of Religious Affairs, which reports to President Erdogan, described the Chora Monastery as a “trophy of conquest”.
Nikolaos Ouzounoglou, President of the Ecumenical Federation of Constantinople describes the importance of the Chora Monastery as follows: “The Chora Monastery is the most important building of the last Renaissance era of the Byzantine Empire and depicts the essence of Christianity”.
Architect and restorer Zeynep Ahoubey emphasizes the special importance of the Chora Monastery for the history of Art: “There are many former Byzantine buildings in Turkey that were damaged in earthquakes and then restored. But the mosaics in these buildings could not be preserved like those found in the Monastery of Chora”. The architect believes that the heritage of the building should be presented in such a way that it befits its past, and this cannot be done by its function as a mosque.
An unnecessary change of use
It is clear that the Greek side has been disturbed by this conversion. Many Turks are also concerned about the impact such a move could have on interfaith peace. Nikolaos Uzunoglou, President of the Ecumenical Federation of Constantinople, talks about the “Alliance of Civilizations”, which was founded in 2006 on the initiative of Turkey and Spain within the framework of the UN. “Considering this initiative, interfaith sensitivities must be at the highest level in order to improve dialogue and tolerance,” he stresses. Architect and restorer Zeynep Ahoubey also believes that the decision is proof of the government’s departure from the secular outlook of Kemal Atatürk’s state.
Finally, the Islamic theologian Ihsan Eliachik considers the decision unnecessary and from a very practical point of view. There are several mosques for Muslim prayer, located very close to the Chora Monastery and Hagia Sophia. “No one needs these buildings as mosques,” he says, pointing out that these are political decisions. “The works of art in the Monastery of Chora tell the story of Christianity. They are historic buildings that belong to humanity. That’s why they should remain museums”, he underlines.
Edited by: Maria Rigoutsou
Source :Skai
I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
