Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan formally opened a former Byzantine church in Istanbul as a mosque on Monday, four years after his government had designated it a Muslim house of prayer, despite criticism from neighboring Greece.
Turkey formally converted The Church of St. Saviour in Chora, known as Kariye in Turkish, into a mosque in 2020, soon after it similarly turned Istanbul’s landmark Haghia Sophia into a Muslim house of prayer.
Both conversions drew praise from Muslim faithful but criticism from Greece and other countries who had urged Turkey to protect the important Byzantine-era monuments. Both are listed as U.N. World Heritage Sites.
The structure served as a mosque during Ottoman rule before being transformed into a museum in 1945.
Greece had criticized the Turkish government’s decision to turn it back into a mosque, accusing Ankara of “insulting the character” of another World Heritage Site.
I lived in Turkey before its Islamization, back when it was safe for non-Muslims.
My father was a visiting professor at Boğaziçi University, and his best friend was a religious Muslim, who believed in equality for all. His friend was pushed out when Erdogan took over, and he told me he’d never return, nor should I. All my non-Muslim friends (from Robert Koleji) have left Turkey well.
Are there any Muslim countries where non-Muslims are still safe?
@ApricotsTerryGreen2wks2W
It’s still safe for non Muslims. Walking around Istanbul and there’s plenty of Christian’s openly showing their faith.
Not sure what you’re smoking but send me your dealers number
@MadPuddingRepublican2wks2W
This is part of Islam's "culture" of looting and pillage. Under political Islam, there is no equality for non-Muslims. They are seen as dhimmis, aka semi-slaves.
Where is the Orthos to protest against? Where is Constantinople?
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
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