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[Alexandros Lordos]

For me Ag. Sophia represents the Byzantium, not Hellenism.

For me, it represents neither. It's just a Christian shrine, we shouldn't confuse religion with national identity.

[turkcyp]

For me, it represents neither. It's just a Christian shrine, we shouldn't confuse religion with national identity.

By the way Alex,

It is very interesting that after being used as a mosque for close to 500 years by Ottomans, many muslims in Turkey see it as a mosque not a church.

The church turned mosque turned museum after 1923 when Ataturk wanted to curn down the effect of Islam on Turkish society as many extreme muslims see Hagia Sophia as the monument of how Turks captured Istanbul and turned a previously a Christian city turned into the capital of Islam (kind of reverse crusade).

And even in today world in Turkey, there are those parties that take those roots from Islam that clearly wants to turn back the museum into mosque.

So that Hagia Sophia turning back to either a church or a mosque is a very controvorsial debate in Turkey and many secular are dead against it.

Ataturk kind of did what should be done in Jerusalem right now. Say that this piece of property is neither a church or a mosque. Or in Jerusalems case say this piece of land is neither holly to Jews, to Christians, or to Muslims.

Just an extra info for you,

Take care

[efe]

i am happy i could get approvals from both turkish and greek counterparts.

i am not sure if my name has a meaning connection with efendi, or even ephesus because it is name used mostly in western turkey.

[pantelis]

A new good book!

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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... 7?v=glance

[Alexandros Lordos]

And even in today world in Turkey, there are those parties that take those roots from Islam that clearly wants to turn back the museum into mosque.

So that Hagia Sophia turning back to either a church or a mosque is a very controvorsial debate in Turkey and many secular are dead against it.

Turkcyp,

I see your point. Though in my heart my religious instinct would wish to see the Hagia Sophia turned into a church, I would certainly not want it to happen if it means tension, violence and bloodshed (again because of my religious instinct, I suppose )

[brother]

I am going to agree with piratis on this one.