Mourning over "Aya Sofia or an Expression of Islamophobia?

Written by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Risuni

Translated by : Shamsul Huda Qasmi

Ever since the decision to restore this magnificent mosque (known as "Aya Sofia" in Istanbul, Turkey) was made by the Turkish Supreme Court on the basis of all the evidences, there is a storm of grief and anger in the European countries and the Christian churches.There is a wave of grief and sorrow. They are mourning for this great decision and criticising it. Moreover, it is surprising that some Arab hypocrites and Several UNESCO organizations are also seen side by side in this unholy attitude.

The decision taken by the Turkish judiciary and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is not to convert a church into a mosque, as some say, nor is it to convert a church into a museum, nor is it to close a church, but rather it is to transform a broken mosque into a functioning mosque, which was closed in 1935. What does it harm the Christians world and their churches in this case? What does it hurt them to convert the Aya Sophia building from a tourist facility to a place where Allah is worshiped and remembered? Do the heads of the Christian religion prefer the Aya Sophia to remain for tourism and entertainment, rather than opening it to the worship of Allah, Almighty and to the recitation of the Qur’an?

In the Holy Qur'an, Allah has clearly stated: “And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” (Surah Haj 40)

Given the Qur'anic context, the Christian world was more entitled to express its satisfaction with the decision to restore the mosque for worship and establish a sacred system of education and training but sadly it didn't happen.

As for the conversion of Aya Sofia from a church to a mosque, it has passed more than five hundred years, and Sultan Muhammad, the Conqueror, conquered it, and offered a large sum of money in exchange for the land. Now the present Turkey and its President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, should not be criticized. He has only tried to restore the mosque. It is assumed that the anger today is directed towards the existing Turkey, and to the President, Erdogan, and not to the Ottoman Empire and Sultan Muhammad, the Conqueror. What happened today is nothing more than reopening the mosque and returning it to its job. This does not call for anger or objection from anyone, especially as it is a purely internal Turkish affair. So, why are there these advices, and this aggressive control of mentality?

Even if we assume for a moment that it is wrong to convert a church into a mosque, it too will be in our favour, because there are hundreds of mosques in Spain, Russia, Sicilia and Yugoslavia that have been converted into yards or cafes. All these (mosques) should be restored and announced the end of oppressive occupations. And there is no need to go too far. In France itself, more than 50 mosques have been locked and suspended in the recent years, not to speak of the plight of Burma, China, and India? Who is responsible for these happenings?

We ask protesters angry at the reopening of the Aya Sophia mosque: What if Turkey had turned the Aya Sophia from a museum into a theatre, a global cinema, an opera house, or a bullfighting field, would you have been angry? Or would you have kept quiet? Or would you have clapped?

As for those who cry over the "human heritage" that "people will lose it", they are told - and they know it - that the building will remain as it is, but it will become better than it is. As for the artistic, archaeological and historical exhibits in it, they will return to their appropriate places. As for the architectural heritage, most of it was built in the name of the mosque and thanks to the mosque, and what was built for the church, it is in the place of complete maintenance.

I would like to make it clear to the hypocrites, whose objections are misleading and deceitful, that they should now openly admit they are against Islam and support the Crusaders and Zionism. They are the enemies of prayer and fasting. They are against the recitation and the teachings of the glorious Qur'an.