Head of scientific research Institute “Dialogue of civilizations” Alexei Malashenko in the air NSN said, as the transformation of Hagia Sophia into the existing mosque will affect the political position of Tayyip Erdogan.
The first since 1934 Friday prayer in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was opened by the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Head of scientific research Institute “Dialogue of civilizations” Alexei Malashenko in the air NSN said, as the transformation of Hagia Sophia into the existing mosque will affect the political positions of the Turkish leader.
“On his popularity in Turkey is, of course, will have an impact, definitely. This is a moderate Islamist with all the ensuing consequences. He is trying to Islamize Turkey. Turkey was proevropeyski country. But the province supports it. It will become more popular all over the Muslim world. Here was Sophia, now is a mosque. As for the Europeans, the Christian world, including Russia, there will be days for tourists. He once again showed that he is a Muslim charismatic, but at the same time, people are quite pragmatic. Now more pressure on the Islamic direction”, – said Malashenko.
In his opinion, we can talk about the end of an era in the history of Turkey, which began after the victory of the Kemalist revolution in 1923.
“the Kemalist, secular, westernized Turkey was over. Of course, there would be some backlash, when Erdogan will go. But that Kemalism, which was, with the prohibition of headscarves and other things, no more. Ends the whole epoch. But to consign to oblivion the modernization, which was held by Kemal Ataturk, fully back in the Islamic space is fraught with problems”, – concluded the source NSN.
The Supreme administrative court of Turkey on 10 July annulled the decision of 1934 the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a Museum. Immediately after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the transformation of the Cathedral into a mosque and the beginning of Muslim worship.
