Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Muslims Want to Use Hagia Sophia in Trebizond as a Mosque

Currently being considered is how to hide the Christian frescoes with curtains in the church of Trabzon (13th century) during Islamic religious services because of the ban on images in Islam.

Istanbul (kath.net / CBA / red) The authorities in Trabzon in northeast Turkey, want to share an old Byzantine church for Islamic worship. Currently being given is how they could disguise the Christian frescoes in the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon during Islamic worship because of the ban on images of carpets, Turkish media reported on Monday.

Much like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, it was built in the 13th century in Trabzon as a church, and was later converted into a mosque and finally declared a museum. In the case of Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, the authorities have in recent years repeatedly rejected the demand of Islamic groups seeking permission for Islamic services in the sacred building.

In 2006, an Italian priest Father Andrea Santoro, was murdered in another church in Trabzon. He was praying, kneeling on Sunday in his church, as the 16-year-old student, OUzhan Adkin, shot and killed him with two bullets from behind. As the bullets penetrated the priest’s back, Akdin had exclaimed loudly, "Allahu Akbar," "God is great", kath.net reported . Santoro's mother forgave the murderer of her son. The killer appears to be still serving his 18-year prison sentence for "premeditated murder”.

Link to kath.net...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

There are how many U.N. World Heritage Sites? Nothing is allowed that would change the heritage, character of these sites. If we've permitted the U.N. to muck around in National Parks and such, why don't we make them do something really important. May Father Santoro Rest in Peace +

Anonymous said...

There is a petition against this. It's got hundreds of signatories in the last couple of days. You can sign it too if you want. And btw the fresco's will only be covered during prayer times, according to the islamic leader of the province. The religious leader of the city is against it, as are dozens of local organizations.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/trabzon-ayasofya-m%C3%BCzesi-m%C3%BCze-olarak-kalmal%C4%B1