Hagia Sophia breaks free of its chains, and Turkey saves its soul

This nation was deeply aggravated when Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum. When this happened, it was basically buried in the ground and abandoned – much like the present state of the surroundings of the Sülemaniye Complex. Let us hope that one day Süleymaniye too will be rescued from its predicament.

The unilateral party era went down in history as a disruptive Jacobean period during which steps were taken to eradicate the people’s Islamic spirit: the call to prayer was banned. Turkish music was banned. A search was launched for a foundation purified of Islam. Sleeves were rolled up for time-consuming anachronic, absurd adventures at imposing a spirit devoid of Islam on the Turkish people.

The Republic of Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, saw the absurdity of such attempts and stepped back from certain revolutions. He had realized, for example, that the sun-language theory is completely eccentric. Falih Rıktı Atay, one of the closest people to Atatürk, wrote in his book titled “Çankaya,” considered as Kemalism’s second “holy book” – so to say – after Atatürk’s “Nutuk” (The Great Speech), why he was against the “crazy” attempts in this regard, and how they argued with Atatürk about certain excessive steps. Every Turk should read this book with great attention: reading between the lines shows what is really happening and it is a text written by one of the masters of the Turkish language.

The reason behind Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a museum was the shackles put on the spirit of the Conquest of Istanbul which was represented by Hagia Sophia.

The reason behind Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a museum was, more importantly, the shackles put on the spirit of this people.

The reason Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum was, as a matter of fact, the postponement, denial, and binding of our civilization claims and dreams summarized in this conquest spirit.

The reason behind Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a museum was the crucifixion of this nation’s historical awareness, the destruction of its historical awareness, the destruction of this nation’s mental independence, and the great blow sustained by their political independence.

Hagia Sophia has always maintained its significance and priority for this country. Each time Hagia Sophia came up on the agenda, I said, “Unless Hagia Sophia is liberated, it is vain to say I’m free,” everywhere and on every platform.

Hagia Sophia was liberated on July 10, 2020.

On July 10, 2020, the Turkish Council of State, a top court, ruled the decree that converted Hagia Sophia into a museum in 1934 was illegal. It decreed that Hagia Sophia is a mosque once again.

Upon the declaration on Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave a historic speech. This was a meticulously-prepared speech Erdoğan delivered with the awareness that the trajectory of history has been changed.

He stated, “Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a mosque is the sign that Masjid al-Aqsa will be liberated,” and added that he hopes this decision will also trigger the rejuvenation of the Muslim world.

July 10, 2020 went down in history books as a milestone: A day of celebration, a wedding day, a day of reunion.

July 10, 2020 became a turning point: a breakthrough in this nation’s fight for independence.

Hagia Sophia is the symbol of Turkey’s sovereignty and independence. Needless to say, the minds of generations unable to comprehend the spirit represented by Hagia Sophia are in shackles.

The spirit represented by Hagia Sophia is hidden in its conversion into a mosque as the “right of the sword (ius gladii).” Hagia Sophia becoming a mosque is one of the sole conditions for the preservation of the landmark itself and the people’s spirit, and the most important indicator that this spirit is being maintained.

Hagia Sophia is perhaps the most important symbol of this nation’s spirit, this country’s independence and integrity, and Hagia Sophia owes this to its becoming mosque as the “right of the sword.”

One of the most important indicators of how the awareness of history is attacked in this country, how this nation’s history was denied and locked down in a museum is the lack of a proper understanding of the relations between the spirit of Hagia Sophia, the right of the sword matter and the independence problem. Even our renowned historians are having difficulty understanding and explaining this matter. Why? Because they do not have adequate knowledge of the philosophy of history or a strong historical awareness.

First and foremost, the “right of the sword” issue concerns peace, not war. The “right of the sword” is the guarantee of peace.

The second important matter that is also related to this is the connection between the concepts of independence, sovereignty and the mosque being a “sanctuary of peace.”

Hagia Sophia’s conversion is the declaration that it is a house of peace. What does house of peace mean? A house of peace means that an order where everybody feels safe will be established, that a platform, a safe and secure sanctuary of peace will be established where non-Muslims, in particular, are free to practice their own beliefs without any pressure.

A house of peace signifies the guarantee of peace and calm there. In this sense, it is both the sole condition and sole source of a Muslim country’s sovereignty, independence, and liberation.

Therefore, Hagia Sophia breaking its chains signifies saving Turkey’s soul.