My Blog
Hagia Sophia petition
Sat, April 28, 2007 - 10:49 AM
www.hagiasophiablog.com
Sat, April 28, 2007 - 10:49 AM -
permalink -
3 Comments
3 Comments |
add a comment |
|
Sat, April 28, 2007 - 11:12 AM
I prefer to see it remain a museum
Hagia Sophia has a long, amazing history. It's a magnificent building, especially when you consider how many earthquakes it has withstood over the centuries.
But I'm not convinced it should return to use as a church. Whether Christians like it or not, the building has also served for many centuries as a mosque, and trying to return it to a religious function would be likely to stir up even more tension between Christians and Muslims than already exists. Just look at the tension over the city of Jerusalem as proof. Returning this building to a functioning Christian church would probably lead to removal of the Muslim decorations that are inside, and that would be certain to be inflammatory. Let us also not forget that today Turkey's majority religion is Islam. |
|
Sun, April 29, 2007 - 7:07 AM
Im with Shira on this one... Saint Sofia hasnt been a church for ages, and its not like its been turned into a nightclup or something! Its a tourist attraction! I think the monument would be endangered by making it a church again.
|
|
Sun, April 29, 2007 - 7:38 AM
I should clarify, although the website is about reverting it back to a church, it does allow for a "vote."
There's tension in the country of Turkey regardless, and many wish to see progressive changes and for people to be enlightened in the country. seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWir...0.html www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/e...on/index.html I couldn't help but notice one quote, ""We don't want a covered woman in Ataturk's presidential palace," said Ayse Bari, a 67-year-old housewife, during Sunday's protests, AP reported. "We want civilized, modern people there." The remark is a bold statement made by a native female about a native female on the perception of the times in Turkey. |
