Erdoğan Drops His Mask, and the Hammer, on Hagia Sophia: The Caliphate Is Back, by Victor Gaetan

NEWS ANALYSIS: When Turkey’s president announced the historic church would revert to a mosque, he effectively declared an end to modern Turkey’s identity.

By Victor Gaetan, EWTN News, July 23, 2020

Register senior correspondent Victor Gaetan is an award-winning international correspondent and a contributor to Foreign Affairs magazine.

WASHINGTON — Visiting the miraculous Hagia Sophia, the Roman Empire’s first Christian cathedral, I gave thanks for at least two things. First, the regal presence of Mary with the Child Jesus, a life-size mosaic presiding over the entire cavernous space; floating high up in the apse of a semi dome, she is the inerasable icon that all visitors immediately see.

In addition, the massive commingling of Christians and Muslims who fill the great ark is a blessing. Hagia Sophia attracts more than 3 million visitors a year; our ability to share a religious landmark, designated a museum in 1934, is a testament to reconciliation.

Yet what’s perfectly reasonable for regular people — coexistence — tempts leaders who prefer divisive tactics as paths to greater power.  ….

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