AmericanPapist Comments
In favour of the Muslims, one could remark that the Hagia Sophia Church is not a mosque any more but a museum. On the other hand, the Hagia Irene Church, which was the cathedral before Hagia Sophia was built (and as an interim cathedral after it had been destroyed by earthquake in the 5th century), is situated right between Hagia Sophia Church and the Topkapi Palace. Never been used as a mosque, it is now an empty hall where a dancing show takes place daily. Recently, the Miss Europe Pageant was held there...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Irene
Instead of Hagia Sophia, is there another former church that Christians aren't allowed to worship in, somewhere in North Africa and the Middle East. I don't think Turkey is part of the Arab League, so maybe the Arab League would not have a say about Hagia Sophia, even if they wanted to.
Not to mention the deafening silence of the Muslim moderates.
Isn't there another former mosque in Spain? The one that still has the slaver's chains imbeded in the walls?
Of course we should talk about Hagia Sophia first. Yes, it is a museum now, but it was made so by the descendents of those who took it by force from the Church in Constantinople. It should properly be returned to that Church to rectify that wrong and said Church should be able to have sole say on its use.
The Hagia Irene church wouldnt be empty if not for the discriminatory policies of the Turkish gov't and the violence and oppression of the Ottomans before them.
The so-called Mezquita was built over a Christian church. Of the two claimants to the site, Christians were there first. Again the site was forcibly taken from them. It was only justice that it was eventually reclaimed by the Church and it would be a miscarriage of justice to legitimize the illegimate Muslim claim by allowing any Muslim prayer there.
Besides we all know what will happen once Muslims are allowed in there. Takeover. Slow or fast, in creeps and bounds. Doesnt matter. Takeover will be inevitable.
Commenting by HaloScan
