A Dinner, some Western Faces, Aya Sophia became a Museum!

An article by Yildiray Ogur, a Turkish journalist, was recently published in the British-based Middle East Eye on the history of the conversion of the Aya Sophia Mosque into a museum.  He spoke in support of the US Alliance, but said that maintaining some independence was not the answer.

 The first meeting on the idea of ​​turning Sophia into a museum was held on June 12, 1929.  Four of America's richest people met at the Tokatlian Hotel on Isteklal Road in Istanbul.  The Byzantine Institute of America hosted a dinner that day.  At the heart of this was Thomas Whittemore, an American educator and archaeologist who was a fan of Byzantine art.

 Spreading relations: Whitemore had contacts with Russian princes from wealthy Americans.  He also had a close relationship with the famous painter Henry Metis and the literary critic Getru Stein.  He was known for wearing big caps and his unconditional love for caps.  In his personal life he was gay and vegetarian.

 In the thirties of the last century, various crises were going on in all the countries of the world.  At this time, Whitemore was able to convince the wealthy Americans of the importance of preserving the art of the Byzantine Empire in Istanbul.  His greatest achievement, according to the Middle East Eye, was that two years later he received approval from the Ankara authorities to uncover Byzantine paintings in Aya Sophia.

 America's Path with the New Turkey: On June 8, 1931, the Turkish cabinet approved the work of the father of modern Turkey, Kamal Ataturk, and the second prime minister of Turkey, General Ismat Ananur.  According to the Byzantine Archives, the US ambassador to Ankara, Joseph Grew, played a key role in gaining approval.  Graeo and Ataturk had a good understanding.  In 1928, he worked hard to introduce the "New Turkey" to the American people.  There is also a famous picture of both taken at this time.

 Also present at the time was Turkey's old enemy, former Greek Prime Minister Eleftherius Kriakou Venezuelos, who was very close to Turkey.  After Venezuela's visit to Ankara, Ankara and Athens concluded a peace and co-operation agreement in 1930.  Venezuelos later nominated Ataturk for the Nobel Prize.  At that time, Turkey was about to join the League of Nations to build a balanced international relationship against fascism.

 The whole of Europe applauded Turkey in a very emotional way for allowing the opening of Byzantine paintings in Aya Sophia.  But despite all this, the people of Turkey did not know anything about it.  Instead, local Turkish newspapers could learn from the New York Times report two months after the notification was issued.

 Unveiling of the inner mosaic stone: On the same day, the news of the arrival of two American pilots in Istanbul was published in a Turkish newspaper.  On that day, a letter was sent to the US President by Kamal Ataturk.  According to the local officials, the mosque's features will not be ruined due to the mosaic work of Aya Sophia.

 In the first year, Whitemore and his colleagues only unveiled the mosaic stone artwork in the hall.  But even then the prayers continue there.  Then the real question is, how did they unveil the mosaic art next to the mosque?

 Then Kamal Ataturk of Turkey invited his daughter Zehra Whitemore to a historic conference in Ankara.  In the meantime, there has been instability in the public over the issue.  To calm them down, Halil Ethem, co-founder of the Byzantine Institute, attended a conference with Whitemore and said the mosque would not be harmed.  Moreover, art is not strictly forbidden in Islam.

 Instructions for Museum: On August 25, 1934, a letter was officially written to Aya Sophia in Turkey to convert it into a museum.  It was written by Abidin Ozmen, the then Minister of Education of Turkey, along with the Prime Minister.  As part of important verbal instructions, Aya Sophia has been asked to plan for the transformation into a museum. 'The Prime Minister then set up a commission and directed that it be implemented within two days.

 After retiring in 1949, Uzmen published the truth of the directive.  In a meeting with Muzaffar Ramazangul, the general manager of Aya Sophia, the official said in a statement, "Ataturk's special directive is that Aya Sophia has changed from being just an important institution to a religion and a community."  It is important to make it a museum and open it to people of all faiths. "

 Aya Sophia’s sudden change hit everyone like a thunderbolt.  Everyone was shocked by such a decision.  Even according to published media reports, the director of the then Turkish Museum himself knew nothing about it.  So protests started coming from everyone.

 Even an article on the front page of the daily Cumhuriyet, a supporter of Kamal Ataturk, said, "We read the magazine and found out that Aya Sophia has become a museum."  We are very shocked to hear such news.  We ask ourselves, which museum is it?  But Aya Sophia herself has existed as the most beautiful historical setting ever.  We don't know the rationale for turning a historical place into a museum. '

 What is the main reason for the change: Then on November 24, 1934, the Turkish cabinet Aya Sophia passed the law of change.  The West, especially America, is happiest with this new law.

 For what special reason is Aya Sophia a museum?  There are different opinions about this.  According to many, this change had a special message for the West, especially for the United States.  That is, Turkey's new ruler is secular and peace-loving.  Again, according to many, it was a condition of the Balkan Treaty that took place in the same year between Romania and Yugoslavia.

 Towards the end of 1940, Whitemore continued to unveil mosaics of various churches.  Through her special activities, all the works of Aya Sophia were exposed.  Ellen died in 1950 on her way to visit the US Department of the Interior.  At the time of his death, he had an album of Aya Sophia's works.  So many people think he was involved with the CIA.

 The sudden museum of a mosque that had been abandoned for more than four decades was very painful for a Muslim-dominated society.  Moreover, such a change without any protest creates a deep wound in the hearts of Muslims.

 The controversial decision of 1934 is still remembered after 8 long years.  In addition, the Turkish government has refrained from taking any action in this regard for two decades.  On the contrary, he thinks it is important for the general public to be aware of this issue first.  So for a long time no public initiative has been taken by the government in this regard.  But the people were trying to keep their tradition.