Turkey Officially Opens Byzantine-Era Chora Church as Mosque, Faces Backlash

Ankara, Turkey, witnessed a significant cultural and religious event on May 7, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially opened a former Byzantine church in Istanbul as a mosque. This move comes four years after the Turkish government declared the Church of St. Saviour in Chora, locally known as Kariye, a Muslim house of prayer. The conversion in 2020 followed a similar transformation of Istanbul's iconic Haghia Sophia into a mosque, sparking both commendation and criticism internationally.

The Church of St. Saviour in Chora, dating back to the fourth century and renowned for its intricate mosaics and frescoes, has undergone various transformations throughout history. Initially built in the Byzantine era, it was converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule and later became a museum in 1945. The recent reconversion into a mosque has been met with disapproval from Greece and other nations, urging Turkey to preserve these significant Byzantine-era monuments, both of which are UN World Heritage Sites.

Despite the controversy, the formal launch of the Chora as a mosque was celebrated with a ceremony presided over remotely by Erdogan from Ankara. The event also marked the opening of other recently-restored structures. "May it bring good fortune," Erdogan remarked during the televised ceremony. Among the first worshippers was Musa Tombul, who expressed his long-awaited desire to pray within its walls. Another worshipper, Haydar Senbahar, shared his gratitude and anticipation for future prayers at the site.

The decision to convert both Haghia Sophia and the Chora back into mosques is perceived as an effort by Erdogan's ruling party to solidify its conservative and religious support base amidst an economic downturn. In 2020, Erdogan participated in the first Muslim prayers at Hagia Sophia in 86 years, dismissing international criticism and appeals to maintain the monument as a museum. The event attracted as many as 350,000 participants in prayers outside the structure.

Greece has voiced its criticism towards Turkey's decision regarding the Chora mosque conversion, accusing Ankara of "insulting the character" of another World Heritage Site. These conversions have ignited discussions on cultural heritage preservation versus religious freedom, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions between Turkey and Greece.