The Hagia Sophia, constructed in 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, originally served as a cathedral for nearly a millennium before being converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 under Sultan Mehmed II, marking a profound cultural and religious transformation in the city’s history.

In 1934, under the secular reforms of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Hagia Sophia was transformed into a museum, symbolizing Turkey's commitment to secularism and cultural inclusivity, and it remained a UNESCO World Heritage Site until its reconversion into a mosque in 2020 by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The 2020 reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque was celebrated by many Turkish Muslims as a restoration of Islamic heritage but criticized by international observers and Orthodox Christian communities as undermining religious coexistence and secular values, with some viewing it as a political move to bolster Erdoğan’s nationalist and Islamist base amidst economic and electoral challenges.

The legal process for the reconversion began with a Turkish court ruling on July 10, 2020, that the 1934 decision to turn the Hagia Sophia into a museum was unlawful, which allowed President Erdoğan to immediately sign a decree restoring its mosque status, sparking international criticism from entities like UNESCO and religious leaders worldwide.

UNESCO expressed significant concern over the lack of consultation regarding the reconversion and emphasized the need to preserve the Hagia Sophia's historical and cultural significance as a World Heritage Site for all humanity.

Critics, including the Greek Orthodox Church and the U.S. State Department, argued that the decision undermines Turkey's commitment to religious tolerance and disregards the site's multicultural heritage, with UNESCO highlighting the importance of maintaining access and respect for its diverse history.

The reconversion has also raised concerns about the physical preservation of the Hagia Sophia, as reports of structural damage and inadequate maintenance since the change in status have led to calls for restoration efforts to ensure the site's safety and longevity as a global cultural landmark.

Following the reconversion, architectural changes such as the installation of green carpets over the marble floors and the covering of Christian mosaics with curtains were implemented to align with Islamic traditions that prohibit human imagery in places of worship.

Cultural changes include the separation of entrances for worshippers and tourists, with tourists now guided through an upstairs hallway and charged an entrance fee, aiming to balance religious practices with tourism while preserving the sanctity of the prayer environment.

These changes have impacted visitor experiences by limiting access to certain areas and introducing new fees, which some tourists view as acceptable for preservation efforts, while others express concerns over restricted access and the prioritization of religious use over historical inclusivity.

The reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been widely perceived as a strategic move by President Erdoğan to bolster his Islamo-nationalist base, leveraging religious symbolism to distract from Turkey's economic challenges and consolidate support among conservative voters amid political and economic pressures.

Erdogan framed the reconversion as a symbolic act tied to Turkey's Islamic heritage and national pride, likening it to the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and emphasizing its significance as a triumph for Islam, which resonated with his core supporters while alienating secular and international critics.

Critics argue that the decision prioritizes Turkey's Islamic heritage over its multicultural and secular legacy, with observers noting that the move undermines the country's commitment to religious tolerance and risks alienating non-Muslim communities and international stakeholders, including UNESCO and Orthodox Christian institutions.

Governments such as Greece and the United States have expressed concerns, with Greece's Prime Minister calling the move an offense to Istanbul's rich history as a crossroads of cultures, and the U.S. State Department urging Turkey to respect the diverse histories of religious sites.

Observers have criticized the reconversion as prioritizing the Islamic heritage of Hagia Sophia over its multi-faith historical significance, with mosaics of Jesus and Mary being covered and access for tourists restricted, potentially alienating international visitors who value its Byzantine and Ottoman past as symbols of coexistence.

The reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque has raised concerns about its long-term impact on Istanbul’s reputation as a cultural and historical tourism hub, with critics pointing to structural damage and inadequate preservation efforts since the conversion, including falling fragments from the dome and damaged marble floors and gates, which could deter visitors seeking a well-maintained historical site.

Despite Istanbul's status as the world's most visited city in 2023, with 20.2 million international arrivals, the reconversion has sparked debates about preserving historic sites like the Hagia Sophia amidst mass tourism, highlighting the tension between cultural heritage and religious symbolism.

To address concerns from the tourism industry, Turkey has focused on promoting its cultural heritage and relaxing visa requirements, aiming to maintain Istanbul's appeal to international tourists while navigating the sensitivities surrounding the Hagia Sophia's reconversion.

Tour guides can diplomatically address concerns by emphasizing the historical significance of Hagia Sophia as a site that embodies layers of Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, highlighting its role as a symbol of coexistence and multi-faith practices over centuries, despite its recent reconversion into a mosque prioritizing its Islamic past over other historical layers.

They can also reassure tourists that the Turkish government has implemented measures to preserve the site's cultural and historical integrity, such as restoration efforts and a visitor management plan recommended by UNESCO to ensure safe and respectful access for all visitors, including non-Muslims.

Additionally, guides can acknowledge the controversy diplomatically by framing the reconversion as part of broader political and cultural dynamics in Turkey, noting that while it has drawn criticism from international bodies and religious groups, it also reflects domestic sentiments tied to national identity and religious resurgence under President Erdogan's leadership.

The Turkish Ministry of Tourism has introduced educational resources for visitors to the Hagia Sophia, including headset guides with QR codes providing information in 23 languages about the site's Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman annexes, and other historical features, ensuring tourists can learn about its cultural significance without disrupting prayer activities in its current mosque setting.

To enhance visitor understanding of the Hagia Sophia's historical and cultural importance, the Turkish government has implemented a visitor management plan based on UNESCO recommendations, which includes controlled access routes and restoration efforts to preserve the site's integrity amidst increased tourist and pilgrim traffic.

Social media has played a significant role in amplifying public opinion and awareness of the Hagia Sophia controversy, with platforms like Twitter and Facebook serving as spaces for both domestic and international debate on the issue, highlighting its religious and political implications.

Social media has also facilitated the spread of polarized narratives, with some users supporting the reconversion as a restoration of Islamic identity, while others criticize it as undermining the site's historical and multicultural significance, further fueling global discourse on the matter.

The reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been used by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a potent symbol of Islamic resurgence and national pride, framing it as a continuation of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and a triumph for Islam, as reflected in his rhetoric during the inauguration speech in 2020 where he described it as 'the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to.'

Critics, including international observers and Orthodox Christian institutions, have condemned the reconversion as a politically motivated act that undermines Turkey's commitment to religious tolerance and its secular identity, with some viewing it as a distraction from domestic issues such as inflation and economic instability, while others see it as a deliberate erasure of Turkey's multicultural legacy to consolidate Erdoğan's power base.

The Hagia Sophia, constructed in 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, originally served as a cathedral for nearly a millennium before being converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 under Sultan Mehmed II, marking a profound cultural and religious transformation in the city’s history.

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In ATOR called an insignificant amount of €25 for the entrance to the mosque of Hagia Sophia
In ATOR warned tourists about the rise in price of tickets to the palace-museums of Istanbul
A rise in prices for tourist services in Istanbul is inevitable due to the weak position of the local currency - the lira.
This was stated in an interview with Gazeta.Ru Vice President of ATOR Arthur Muradyan, commenting on the decision of the authorities to make a visit to the Hagia Sophia mosque for foreigners paid.
From January 15, the entrance will cost €25.
“From the point of view of tourists, the amount of 25 euros, and for a family of two or four people it is 50-100 euros, can not be called some significant expenditure.
On the other hand, of course, some tourists will think about spending money on visiting this attraction.
Of course, it is a landmark for Istanbul, and I think that the Turkish authorities have approached carefully to determine the amount of fees for visiting this architectural monument, ” Muradian said.
In his opinion, following the Hagia Sophia mosque, the authorities can raise prices for entrance tickets to other museums.
“The rise in prices for tourist services is inevitable to some extent due to the not very good fate of the lira, which we have seen in the last few years.
And, of course, tourists should be ready to increase the cost of services related to the use of the tourism infrastructure of Istanbul, ” said ATOR Vice President.
On January 12, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey reported that the entrance to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul for foreign citizens from January 15, 2024 will cost €25.
The ministry explained that when setting the fee for visiting the mosque, they were guided by the recommendations of UNESCO.
Hagia Sophia, which is now called the Great Mosque of Hagia Sophia, was erected in the 6th century under the emperor Justinian and for more than a thousand years remained the largest Christian temple in the world.
In 1453, after the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks, Saint Sophia was converted into a mosque.
In 1934, the temple was given the status of a museum, it retained both Christian and Muslim decoration.
In July 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the resumption of Muslim worship in Hagia Sophia.
Entrance to the mosque was free for all visitors, including tourists.
Earlier it became known about the destruction of a mosque in Gaza after Israeli shelling.
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How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

Sultan Mehmed II converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque,

What was the original historical and cultural significance of Hagia Sophia in the Byzantine Empire?

Served as the central church of Byzantine Christianity,

When was Hagia Sophia built and under whose rule?

In 1934, under the secular reforms of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Hagia Sophia was transformed into a museum, symbolizing Turkey's commitment to secularism and cultural inclusivity, and it remained a UNESCO World Heritage Site until its reconversion into a mosque in 2020 by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

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Content: Turkey’s iconic Hagia Sophia mosque to charge $28 entry fee for tourists

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Turkey’s Hagia Sophia mosque began charging tourists nearly $28 on Monday for entrance to the landmark site.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its blue-tiled interior, will no longer allow free admission to foreigners, the Turkish tourism ministry announced.

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The former museum-turned mosque has a new entrance in front of the Topkapi Palace Museum open for tourists.

Tunnel entrance at Turkey's Hagia Sophia. (File photo)

The Hagia Sophia was a museum space from 1934 until 2020 when Turkey decided to change it to a mosque. Various historical reports say the mosque with byzantine architecture was an Orthodox cathedral decades ago.

“With the new application that will start on January 15 at the Hagia Sophia Mosque, tourists will be able to visit the mosque without disturbing the prayer environment,” the ministry said in a statement.

The entrance to the mosque will be “provided in a controlled manner through the tunnel and entrance ramp where visitors will be transported to the gallery floor and exited via the ramp in the northeast direction,” the statement said.

“Tourists who come to the gallery section will be able to see the sanctuary floor of the mosque and the Ottoman Period annexes, pass through the heaven-hell gate, and examine the Byzantine Period mosaics in this section,” it added.

Security cameras, fire detection and emergency announcement systems were reportedly installed in the mosque along the tour route. Cleaning and conservation work on the marble coverings and wooden railings on the gallery floor of the mosque was also carried out by restorers and conservators.

Visitors will also have access to a headset guide with QR codes where information on the sight is available in 23 languages.

People visit the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 10, 2020. (Reuters)

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What was the significance of Hagia Sophia's conversion into a museum in 1934?

repositioned Hagia Sophia as a global cultural landmark.

Symbolized Turkey's secular reforms under Ataturk

The 2020 reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque was celebrated by many Turkish Muslims as a restoration of Islamic heritage but criticized by international observers and Orthodox Christian communities as undermining religious coexistence and secular values, with some viewing it as a political move to bolster Erdoğan’s nationalist and Islamist base amidst economic and electoral challenges.

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Content: After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Hundreds of worshippers filled the narrow streets of Istanbul's Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers ringing out from the newly inaugurated Kariye Mosque.

Once known as the Chora Church, the site spent the last 79 years as a museum. But it is now the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While viewed as a triumph by many Turkish Muslims, the Greek Orthodox Church has decried it as an "ill-advised decision" that "makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom."

Chora's conversion was announced shortly after Hagia Sophia's, but its opening for prayer was delayed by years of restoration work.

The showing for the first Friday prayers at Kariye was relatively quiet compared to Hagia Sophia, which drew hundreds of thousands who filled the streets with prayer rugs for blocks and blocks away from the building. By contrast, the crowd on Friday was relatively average for a mosque in one of Istanbul's more religiously conservative neighborhoods, where Friday worshippers frequently spill out onto the streets.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. Despite their conversions, they remained revered by Orthodox Christians. After the founding of a secular Turkish Republic in the early 20th century, the decision was made for both to be neither mosque nor church but simply museums.

"Both Hagia Sophia and Chora embodied Byzantine and Ottoman pasts, and they became symbols of co-existence and multi-faith living practices. Their conversion fundamentally implies a hierarchy, prioritizing the Islamic past over all other layers, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, et al," Dr. Özgür Kaymak, a lecturer and researcher on minority rights at Istanbul's MEF University, told Religion News Service in an email.

Rededicating the sites as mosques is more than just a status change. According to Islamic tradition, artwork of human figures are forbidden in places of prayer, while in Orthodox Churches, icons of Christ, saints and other biblical figures are a defining feature.

In Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Jesus and Mary have been covered with curtains since the conversion. While Erdoğan promised Hagia Sophia would remain fully accessible and free to all visitors, Turkey reneged on that earlier this year, reimposing an entrance fee on tourists and relegating them to the upper level, while the main floor is exclusive to Muslim worshippers.

Observers have also criticized the Turkish Directorate of Religion's caretaking of the site, noting damage that did not exist when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Though Chora is significantly smaller than Hagia Sophia, it is home to some of the best-preserved examples of late-Byzantine art, including mosaics, icons and frescoes, and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"For us it's a very important place because it remembers our culture and our traditions here," Father Evangelos Markantonis, an Orthodox priest who was leading a group of theology students to Chora on Friday, told Religion News Service.

"Though we cannot venerate as Orthodox Christians, we have to try to find things we can be united on. Only with dialogue and good deeds can we continue our lives," Markantonis, who is also a professor at the University of Athens, said when asked about the controversy.

Erdoğan had long refused calls from his right to convert churches like Hagia Sophia and Chora, telling supporters in 2018 to fill the nearby Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known in English as the Blue Mosque) before they talked about needing to pray in Hagia Sophia.

Nonetheless, he made an about-turn in 2020.

"My dear nation, the conquest of Istanbul and the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque are among the most glorious chapters in Turkish history," Erdoğan said at the time in a speech inaugurating the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

"This is the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to, Greek Constantinople has become Turkish Istanbul," he added, quoting the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

"The resurrection of Hagia Sophia heralds the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is the footsteps of the will of Muslims across the world to come out of the interregnum," Erdoğan said in his concluding remarks.

Chora's opening as the Kariye Mosque comes just weeks after Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its largest electoral defeat in two decades during Turkey's nationwide municipal elections.

"The recent conversion of Chora into a mosque may be due to Erdoğan's many problems, including his geopolitical power politics, his appeal to religio-nationalism to revive his electoral popularity after the March elections or his tactic to divert attention from Turkey's economic downturn," Kaymak said.

Many analysts have attributed the loss to AKP bleeding votes to the more Islamist-leaning New Welfare Party, which has pressured Erdogan over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed its rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.

"This mosque is one of the symbols of the Conquest. We are proud and happy. There are very beautiful frescoes inside. They were also nicely renovated before they were closed. May it be good for our country and our nation," a bystander, Ahmet Öteyüzoğlu, told Turkish media.

"Thank God for these days. Not everyone has the opportunity in their lifetime," another bystander named Mehmet Çelik told the Turkish news service Anadolu Agency, in reference to having been able to pray at both the rededicated Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosques.

However, Greece, the U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian institutions worldwide have all criticized the decision to revert the structure into a mosque.

"I want to publicly express my intense dissatisfaction, interpreting the feelings of all Greek women and men, for the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Istanbul itself as a crossroads of cultures," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said shortly before leaving for Turkey for a planned meeting with Erdogan.

"We encourage the Turkish government to preserve and ensure access to sites and buildings that have hosted different religious communities in a way that respects their diverse histories," a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions from Greek media.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet another sign of that government's contempt for Turkey's rich Orthodox Christian heritage but further imperils the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the remaining Christians of that land," the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement.

© Religion News Service

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Supported by many Muslims;
criticized by Orthodox Christians

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The legal process for the reconversion began with a Turkish court ruling on July 10, 2020, that the 1934 decision to turn the Hagia Sophia into a museum was unlawful, which allowed President Erdoğan to immediately sign a decree restoring its mosque status, sparking international criticism from entities like UNESCO and religious leaders worldwide.

Title:

Content: Erdogan invited the leaders of Muslim states to the first prayer in Hagia Sophia
13: 26 22 July Kiev, Ukraine
According to the plan, on July 24, the first prayer will be held in Hagia Sophia in Turkey, after it was decided to convert the building of the Orthodox church into a mosque.
The leaders of many Muslim countries are invited to take part in it.
Erdogan ’ s invitation came from Qatar and Azerbaijan.
The remaining heads of state have not yet responded to the Turkish president.
Remind me!
The Turkish government decided to change the status of the architectural monument and the Orthodox Church of St. Sophia and convert the room into a mosque.
The Pope said that this situation causes him grief.
The Patriarch of Ecumenical and Constantinople, who recently received a great number of churches on the territory of Ukraine, and did not demand the transfer of the museum to the Diocese of Constantinople in a timely manner, said that the creation of a mosque in the museum building can be negatively met in the Orthodox world.
It is expected that the first prayer in the new mosque will be attended by about 1000-1500 people.
All quarantine conditions will be met, participants in prayer will be given masks, and disinfectants will be placed everywhere in the cathedral so that people can treat their hands and their prayer mats.
During the prayer, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also be present in the cathedral, along with Turkish ministers, leaders of the ruling Justice and Development Party.
As previously reported, all the frescoes and mosaics at the time of prayer will be covered with curtains.
On July 10, a Turkish court ruled that the decision to convert the mosque into a museum in 1934 was illegal.
Erdogan immediately signed a decree on assigning Hagia Sophia the status of a mosque.
The move has sparked international criticism and concern, including from Greece, the United States and Russia, as well as UNESCO and Pope Francis.
Turkey insists that the status of the architectural monument is its internal affair.

UNESCO expressed significant concern over the lack of consultation regarding the reconversion and emphasized the need to preserve the Hagia Sophia's historical and cultural significance as a World Heritage Site for all humanity.

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Content: She returned Hagia Sophia to a mosque.
Turkey has challenged global trusteeship
Daily Morning
Istanbul, Turkey
Posted at 29.10.2022 10: 23
Hagia Sophia Mosque (Getty Images)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that the fact that Turkey has returned the Hagia Sophia museum from a museum to a mosque represents a major challenge to the global trusteeship.
Speaking at a ceremony announcing the vision of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) “Turkey ’ s Century ” in Ankara, Erdogan said his country was challenging global tutelage and thanked citizens for their support for the decision to return Hagia Sophia.
He noted that his party has always sought to eliminate any vestiges of guardianship and promote democracy in the country over the past 20 years.
Turkey has lived through a remarkable period in its history in general and the history of Istanbul, especially when Hagia Sophia was transformed from its status as a museum and restored to its former glory as the Grand Mosque of Hagia Sophia on July 24, 2020.
The historic building remained a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul.
It was then used as a mosque between 1453 and 1934, nearly 500 years before becoming a museum for 86 years.
It is one of the most visited historical buildings in Turkey by domestic and international tourists, and Hagia Sophia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
On July 10, 2020, a Turkish court overturned a 1934 ministerial decision that turned Hagia Sophia into a museum, paving the way for it to be used again as a mosque after an 86-year hiatus.

What was UNESCO's main complaint about the reconversion?

Critics, including the Greek Orthodox Church and the U.S. State Department, argued that the decision undermines Turkey's commitment to religious tolerance and disregards the site's multicultural heritage, with UNESCO highlighting the importance of maintaining access and respect for its diverse history.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The reconversion has also raised concerns about the physical preservation of the Hagia Sophia, as reports of structural damage and inadequate maintenance since the change in status have led to calls for restoration efforts to ensure the site's safety and longevity as a global cultural landmark.

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Content: [ditty_news_ticker id="27897"] Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia - Orthodox Christian Laity

Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia

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Source: Greek Reporter

A still from a recently released video shows visitors rushing to take cover as fragments fall from the dome of Hagia Sophia. Credit: Daily Motion/BirGün

A video from 2022 that came to light recently shows fragments falling on visitors from the dome of Hagia Sophia, the former epicenter of Christian worship at Constantinople, today’s Istanbul.

The footage released by the Turkish newspaper, BirGün, raises serious questions over the safety of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral, now a mosque.

BirGün notably quoted officials as saying that “pieces are falling from the roof, due to the humidity created by the crowd, but no precautions are being taken”.

The president of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar, argued for restoration of the monument as soon as possible, suggesting that “If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse with the first earthquake.”

The monument was restored as a mosque three years ago after serving as a museum from 1935-2020 and has since received 21 million visitors, according to Turkey’s tourism and culture minister.

Yasar added that when the church was a museum, the scientific council overseeing it urged that groups of no more than 25 people should be allowed to enter the building at any one time.

This enormous lift in visitation has likely brought to the forefront the need for repairs and it was indeed reported in September that the Turkish government had decided to start long-term maintenance of Hagia Sophia.

Turkey to implement visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia

In early October Turkish historian Ilber Ortayli expressed fears that the large number of visitors to Hagia Sophia could lead to a catastrophic structural failure if not addressed immediately.

Writing in the Hürriyet daily, Ortayli said that the monument, which attracts three million pilgrims annually apart from tourists, has undergone significant damage since its conversion into a mosque.

He asserted that even a modest number of 20-30 thousand people annually, including scientists, historians, archaeologists, representatives of the Muslim religion, politicians, and public officials, could be considered excessive for the endurance of the monument.

In June 2022 a number of tiles of the ancient marble floors in Hagia Sophia were damaged by heavy machines used to clean the site.

In April 2022, The Turkish Association of Art Historians stated that the historic Imperial Gate in Hagia Sophia had been badly damaged.

The group posted a picture clearly depicting the damage to the oak wood of the 15-century-old gate.

Turkey unveiled plans in late October for a visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia, including charging foreign tourists with an entrance fee to be implemented starting Jan. 15.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that extensive restoration work is underway in various sections of Hagia Sophia, now a mosque, with plans to progress to other parts upon their completion.

He emphasized that, based on UNESCO’s recommendations, a visitor management plan would be enforced to enhance the quality and safety of visits while preserving the historical significance of the site.

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Officials argue for repairs to Hagia Sophia after footage shows fragments falling from the dome – Neos Kosmos

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Following the reconversion, architectural changes such as the installation of green carpets over the marble floors and the covering of Christian mosaics with curtains were implemented to align with Islamic traditions that prohibit human imagery in places of worship.

How did the role of Hagia Sophia change following the Ottoman conquest?

Hagia Sophia became a central Islamic religious site for centuries

Sultan Mehmed II converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque,

Cultural changes include the separation of entrances for worshippers and tourists, with tourists now guided through an upstairs hallway and charged an entrance fee, aiming to balance religious practices with tourism while preserving the sanctity of the prayer environment.

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Content: New rules come into force for the visit of Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey - Sunrise Gate
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New rules come into effect for visiting Hagia Sophia mosque in Turkey
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Published on: Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM | Last updated on Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM
The project for the Hagia Sophia mosque was closest to the heart of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – but it was also the project that drew international criticism.
In the summer of 2020, Erdogan restored Hagia Sophia to be a mosque after it was originally a church, converted into an Ottoman mosque, converted into a museum.
At the time, Erdogan assured citizens that entry fees would be abolished, adding that the cultural edifice would remain open to everyone – Muslims or non-Muslims alike.
There will be another major change from January 15, with access to the Hagia Sophia restricted and visitors will have to pay fees again.
Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Arsoy hopes this will improve coexistence between religious and tourist visitors.
Arsoy said recently that tourist visitors are making noise and disrupting calm and prayer.
Until recently, visitors and worshippers were allowed to enter the interior of Hagia Sophia together, with barriers and signs keeping a certain distance between them.
However, from now on, worshippers and tourists will be introduced through different entrances.
Although worshippers can use the same entrances as before, tourists will be guided through an upstairs hallway.
According to Arsoy, tour guides will not be allowed to accompany visitors through the corridors, and earphones will be used instead.
“Our priority there is prayer, ” Arsoy said, noting that the building is a world cultural heritage site and should therefore remain open to all visitors around the world.
Zuleiha Duman, 29, who returned to Istanbul from Germany to see Hagia Sophia after it was converted into a mosque, said she found it taking away.
Welcoming the new rules, she said: “As long as the entrance fee isn ’ t too high, I think it ’ s acceptable. ”
“Why shouldn ’ t Turkey and the government take advantage of this place?
These funds can be channeled to preserve more religious places. ”
Hagia Sophia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Istanbul ’ s history since 1985.
Built by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was the largest place of worship in Christianity for nearly a thousand years, it was the main church during the Byzantine Empire, and from the seventh century, the emperor was crowned inside.
After the Ottomans entered Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.
On the orders of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the building was converted into a museum in 1934 until the summer of 2020.
Hagia Sophia is as symbolically important to Orthodox Christians around the world as St. Peter ’ s Basilica is to Catholics.
After the building was converted into a mosque, criticism poured in from the Greek Orthodox Church.
The UNESCO Foundation also criticized the decision without consultation.
For Erdogan, turning the place into a mosque was his “childhood dream, ” as he himself said, and pleasing to religious voters.
A few external changes were made at the time, for example, a green carpet was placed above the marble floor.
It seems clear that all these things did not detract from the popularity of this teacher.
According to official statistics, some 13.6 million people visited the Hagia Sophia landmark in 2022, not all of them from Europe.
The number of visitors from Indonesia in particular has risen, Hagia Sophia Imam Binyamin Topoglu told Turkey ’ s Anadolu news agency in 2023.
The amount of the fees has not yet been determined.
Tourism Minister Ersoy says the proceeds will be spent on cultural assets, for excavation or preservation of monuments such as the Hagia Sophia.
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These changes have impacted visitor experiences by limiting access to certain areas and introducing new fees, which some tourists view as acceptable for preservation efforts, while others express concerns over restricted access and the prioritization of religious use over historical inclusivity.

The reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been widely perceived as a strategic move by President Erdoğan to bolster his Islamo-nationalist base, leveraging religious symbolism to distract from Turkey's economic challenges and consolidate support among conservative voters amid political and economic pressures.

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Content: Roundup of news from December 30, 2021
Erdogan the Conqueror
The Turkish president compared the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque with the fall of Constantinople.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to try on the kaftan of Sultan Mehmed II, whose troops captured Constantinople in 1453.
In this regard, he, summing up the year, compared the transformation of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque with the fall of Tsargrad, reports the UOJ with reference to the publication “Vima Ortodoksiya ”.
According to the head of Turkey, the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque is “as important ” for the Turks as the fall of the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
However, at the same time, many pay attention to the fact that the Turkish lira in the outgoing year fell strongly against the dollar, and this seriously hit the Turkish economy.
Responding to the criticism, Erdogan said he would “lead his people to what they deserve ” and stressed that he would“ apply the laws of Islam. ”
Thus, the Turkish authorities seek to distract their citizens from economic problems by proclaiming the Islamization of Turkey to the detriment of its secular status.
The economy of Turkey is not in the best condition, but Erdogan was again able to win the Hagia Sophia.
This is what officials in Ankara are thinking.
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What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Erdogan framed the reconversion as a symbolic act tied to Turkey's Islamic heritage and national pride, likening it to the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and emphasizing its significance as a triumph for Islam, which resonated with his core supporters while alienating secular and international critics.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Critics argue that the decision prioritizes Turkey's Islamic heritage over its multicultural and secular legacy, with observers noting that the move undermines the country's commitment to religious tolerance and risks alienating non-Muslim communities and international stakeholders, including UNESCO and Orthodox Christian institutions.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Governments such as Greece and the United States have expressed concerns, with Greece's Prime Minister calling the move an offense to Istanbul's rich history as a crossroads of cultures, and the U.S. State Department urging Turkey to respect the diverse histories of religious sites.

How did the Greek prime minister describe the reconversion in May 2024?

An act that belittles Istanbul's history

Observers have criticized the reconversion as prioritizing the Islamic heritage of Hagia Sophia over its multi-faith historical significance, with mosaics of Jesus and Mary being covered and access for tourists restricted, potentially alienating international visitors who value its Byzantine and Ottoman past as symbols of coexistence.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

The reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque has raised concerns about its long-term impact on Istanbul’s reputation as a cultural and historical tourism hub, with critics pointing to structural damage and inadequate preservation efforts since the conversion, including falling fragments from the dome and damaged marble floors and gates, which could deter visitors seeking a well-maintained historical site.

Despite Istanbul's status as the world's most visited city in 2023, with 20.2 million international arrivals, the reconversion has sparked debates about preserving historic sites like the Hagia Sophia amidst mass tourism, highlighting the tension between cultural heritage and religious symbolism.

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35 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings

In this article, we will look at the 35 most visited countries in the world: 2024 Rankings. We have also looked the the growth projections for global tourism. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 10 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings.

The World Economic Outlook Report has highlighted the important role of tourism in global economic recovery, projecting a 3.0% growth in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024. Despite exceeding previous forecasts, this growth rate falls short of the 3.5% recorded in 2022, indicating ongoing pandemic impacts and geopolitical tensions, notably Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Economies heavily reliant on tourism exhibit greater resilience, with rapid recovery observed in countries where tourism contributes significantly to GDP. For instance, those with large tourism sectors, like France and Spain.

International tourism is set for a robust recovery in 2024, with a projected 2% growth above 2019 levels, according to UNWTO forecasts. In 2023, the sector observed remarkable resilience, with international tourism receipts reaching $1.4 trillion, representing about 93% of pre-pandemic levels, and total export revenues hitting $1.6 trillion, nearly 95% of 2019 figures. The economic contribution of tourism, measured in tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP), reached $3.3 trillion in 2023, confirming a close recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

This positive outlook is buoyed by strong industry indicators, with international air capacity and passenger demand already recovering around 90% of pre-pandemic levels by October 2023. Additionally, global occupancy rates in accommodation establishments surpassed November 2022 figures, reaching 65%. To read more about travelling, see 50 places to visit before you die.

Despite persistent economic and geopolitical challenges, including inflation and trade disruptions, the tourism sector remains resilient and poised for continued growth, driven by factors such as visa facilitation measures and robust travel demand from key source markets like China and the United States.

Istanbul claimed the title of the world's most visited city in 2023 with 20.2 million international arrivals, surpassing popular destinations like London and Paris. With relaxed visa requirements and a rich cultural heritage blending Asian and European influences, Istanbul's popularity continues to increase in 2024. Efforts to preserve its historic sites, like the iconic Hagia Sophia, are underway despite the challenges posed by mass tourism. It is worth noting that Istanbul is one of the cities with most beautiful women.

Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) has seen remarkable growth, with over 35,000 travel agencies and more than 100,000 advisors globally utilizing its services. Despite initial challenges during the pandemic, Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s investment in TAAP has increased, with a major boost in staff and technology. This strategic desision has propelled Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s B2B revenue, witnessing a 26% increase year-over-year, as stated during the company's third-quarter earnings call in 2023. TAAP's platform is evolving to cater specifically to advisors' needs, with plans for a revamped user interface and enhanced payment capabilities slated for rollout in 2024. While exploring innovative technologies like generative AI, Expedia remains cognizant of advisors' indispensable role in personalized travel planning, aiming to integrate AI as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for human expertise.

Speaking of AI, Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) aims to leverage AI to reshape its trip-planning business, aiming to shift users away from starting their travel searches on Google. With a vast data repository of 70 petabytes, Expedias Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) plans to deploy AI to offer personalized travel recommendations based on users' preferences and past trips. By streamlining the travel planning process, Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) seeks to become the go-to platform for users, reducing reliance on external search engines like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG).

On the other hand, Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) projects stable revenue growth, forecasting a 3% to 6% annualized increase in global revenue per available room (RevPAR) by 2025. This optimistic outlook is fueled by a resurgence in international travel following the easing of pandemic restrictions, supported by a strong dollar and rise of remote work encouraging travel abroad.

In 2023, Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) marked its 500th luxury hotel opening with The St. Regis Riyadh. With 5 more luxury properties to debut by year-end and 24 planned for 2024, Marriott's portfolio, spanning brands like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, and JW Marriott, continues to grow.

Their notable additions include the second Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vessel, Ilma, and new St. Regis locations in Los Cabos, Cap Cana, and Longboat Key. Additionally, EDITION Hotels plans to open The Jeddah EDITION in Saudi Arabia. Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR)’s expansion reaffirms its commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury experiences worldwide.

To read more about luxury experiences, see the largest cruise ships in the world.

A freight train rolling through the countryside carrying a full load of products.

Our Methodology

For our most visited countries in the world in 2024 list, we have relied on datapanda.org’s database on number of arrivals by country. The list is presented in ascending order of number of arrivals.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

35. Switzerland

Number of Arrivals: 11.8m

Swiss tourism anticipates a 1.6% increase in overnight stays during the 2023/24 winter season, totaling 17.7 million stays, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. European guests, especially from Germany, are expected to boost numbers. Chinese visitors, though still below pre-Covid levels, are projected to rise in 2024.

34. Taiwan

Number of Arrivals: 11.9m

The Tourism Bureau within Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications oversees matters related to tourism. It is one of the top 50 most visited countries in the world.

Taiwan is forging ahead with its commitment to catering to senior travelers, revealing plans for a comprehensive Golden Years Tour certification system. Launched after the success of the Golden Years tourism brand in 2023, this initiative focuses on creating senior-friendly travel experiences across various hospitality sectors, including F&B, accommodation, sightseeing, shopping, and transportation. With a keen eye on the needs of older citizens, the program focuses on slow travel and age-appropriate itineraries.

33. Morocco

Number of Arrivals: 12.9m

Morocco has a stable tourism sector and is known for its coastal attractions, rich cultural heritage, and deep history. With the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism in 1985, the country has prioritized this industry. In 2018, Morocco welcomed 12.3 million tourists and since 2023, has had the highest number of arrivals out of the countries in Africa.

32. Denmark

Number of Arrivals: 13.3m

In 2018, Denmark attracted 30 million international arrivals, with tourists from neighboring Germany, Norway, and Sweden forming the majority. Overnight stays have gradually risen since 2014, reaching 16.6 million in 2018.

31. Saudi Arabia

Number of Arrivals: 13.6m

Saudi Arabia aims to welcome 30 million overnight tourists in 2024, with a revised 2030 target of 150 million visitors. The tourism sector's growth aligns with a broader economic expansion, with Saudi Arabia's GDP expected to rise by 4.1% in 2024. ATM 2024 will focus on innovation and sustainability, reflecting global trends towards net-zero travel.

30. Ukraine

Number of Arrivals: 14.2m

In January-June 2023, Ukraine collected UAH 85.471 million ($2.27 million) from tourist taxes, up from UAH 69.453 million ($1.85 million) in 2021. The tax, paid by hotel guests, contributed to the regional budget.

29. Czech Republic

Number of Arrivals: 14.3m

There is a long history of tourism in the Czech Republic. Prague is one of the most visited cities of the world, with 6–8 million visitors per year.  Czech Republic is definitely one of the top 10 tourist countries in Europe.

It is also one of the top countries for dental tourism

28. Singapore

Number of Arrivals: 15.1m

In 2019, Singapore welcomed 19.1 million international tourists, exceeding its population threefold. With English as the predominant among its four official languages, tourists find it convenient to communicate with locals, particularly during activities like shopping.

27. Indonesia

Number of Arrivals: 15.5m

From the paradisiacal beaches of Bali to the lush jungles of Borneo, and the ancient temples of Borobudur, Indonesia offers a tapestry of experiences with vibrant cuisine and warm hospitality.

26. United Arab Emirates

Number of Arrivals: 16.7m

In 2018, the tourist industry contributed over 164.7 billion dirhams to the country's GDP. The United Arab Emirates also has the most prosperous tourist industry among Gulf countries and has maintained its position as the leading tourist destination in the GCC. Dubai is expected to be one of the most visited cities in the world in 2024. As of 2018, tourism provided employment to more than 604,300 individuals in the United Arab Emirates.

25. Hungary

Number of Arrivals: 16.9m

Over 98% of Hungary's tourist demographic consists of visitors from Europe, with Austria, Germany, and Slovakia contributing the highest numbers of tourists to the country. The majority of tourists opt for car travel and typically have short stays.

24. Croatia Number of Arrivals: 17.4m

The tourism sector contributes to nearly 20% of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2021. Presently, Croatia has become a tourist hotspot in the Mediterranean as it welcomed an influx of 11.2 million tourists in the year 2021.

23. South Korea

Number of Arrivals: 17.5m

Seoul is a top spot for tourists. Other popular places in South Korea include Busan, a big city by the sea, Seorak-san National Park with its beautiful nature, Gyeongju, an old city with lots of history, and Jeju Island, which has a warm climate. It is one of the countries with highest number of international tourists

22. India

Number of Arrivals: 17.9m

India's tourism sector is set for a major upswing fueled by religious travel, with the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya expected to attract an additional 50-100 million tourists annually. This increase surpasses the annual visitation rates of iconic global landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Mecca. Indian carriers have responded to the anticipated demand by ordering over 1,100 planes, indicating a stable growth trajectory.

21. Vietnam

Number of Arrivals: 18.0m

Vietnam's tourism sector has seen significant growth, with 18 million international arrivals in 2019 compared to 2.1 million in 2000. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is implementing strategies to diversify the industry.

20. Netherlands

Number of Arrivals: 20.1m

Tourism in the Netherlands contributes 5.4% to GDP and 9.6% to employment. In 2017, it hosted 17 million foreign tourists, predominantly from Germany, ranking it 20th globally for visitor numbers. It is one of the top countries visited by foreigners in 2024

19. Canada

Number of Arrivals: 22.1m

Canada has a flourishing tourism industry, drawing visitors with its diverse landscapes and cultural attractions. Key destinations include Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, Niagara Falls, Vancouver Island, the Canadian Rockies, Okanagan Valley, Churchill, and Ottawa-Gatineau. Canada is also home to some of the most attractive people

18. Poland

Number of Arrivals: 22.1m

Since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland has seen a notable increase in tourism, boasting over 21 million international arrivals in 2019. The country's diverse attractions range from southern mountains to northern beaches, with Kraków, the most visited city.

17. Hong Kong

Number of Arrivals: 23.8m

During Hong Kong's Lunar New Year holiday from February 10 to 17, over 1 million mainland Chinese visitors are expected, constituting 80-85% of pre-pandemic levels. The Immigration Department anticipates 7.5 million trips by Hong Kong residents and tourists during this period, with 6 million trips through land boundary control points. It is one of the top 20 most visited countries in the world in 2024.

16. Russia

Number of Arrivals: 24.4m

In 2022, Russian tourism experienced a huge decline, with only 200,100 foreign visitors, with a 96.1% drop from pre-pandemic and pre-2022 invasion of Ukraine levels. This downturn contrasts sharply with the rapid growth Russia had seen since the late Soviet era, initially in domestic tourism and later in international visits.

15. Portugal

Number of Arrivals: 24.6m

Portugal attracts millions of tourists annually, drawn to its cities, historic landmarks, beaches, and religious sites. In 2019, it welcomed 27 million visitors, with popular destinations including Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, the Portuguese Riviera, Madeira, Sintra, Óbidos, and Fátima.

Portugal is also one of the best countries to live and work in 2024.

14. Malaysia

Number of Arrivals: 26.1m

Tourist arrivals from Türkiye to Malaysia increased by 10.8% in Jan-Nov 2023, totaling 15,623 visitors compared to 2019 figures. This growth is attributed to the efforts Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture campaigns. Malaysia is one of the most popular travel destinations for honeymoon in 2024.

13. Greece

Number of Arrivals: 31.3m

Tourism in Greece has been a cornerstone of its economy owing to its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. With 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stunning coastlines, Greece has been a magnet for tourists since the 1970s.

On a side note, Greece is one of the countries with the highest labor shortages in the world

12. Austria

Number of Arrivals: 31.9m

Vienna remains a primary draw for tourists throughout the year, attracting significant numbers both in the summer and winter seasons. Salzburg, while receiving about one-fifth of the tourist overnight stays compared to Vienna, still holds the second position in popularity during the summer.

11. Japan

Number of Arrivals: 32.3m

Japan's tourism industry is vital to its economy, drawing 31.88 million international visitors in 2019. There are 21 World Heritage Sites in Japan like Himeji Castle and Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and Nara. It is 11th in our list of most visited countries in the world 2024 rankings by country.

It is also one of the most respected countries in Asia.

Click here to see the 10 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 35 Most Visited Countries in the World: 2024 Rankings is originally published on Insider Monkey.

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To address concerns from the tourism industry, Turkey has focused on promoting its cultural heritage and relaxing visa requirements, aiming to maintain Istanbul's appeal to international tourists while navigating the sensitivities surrounding the Hagia Sophia's reconversion.

Tour guides can diplomatically address concerns by emphasizing the historical significance of Hagia Sophia as a site that embodies layers of Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, highlighting its role as a symbol of coexistence and multi-faith practices over centuries, despite its recent reconversion into a mosque prioritizing its Islamic past over other historical layers.

They can also reassure tourists that the Turkish government has implemented measures to preserve the site's cultural and historical integrity, such as restoration efforts and a visitor management plan recommended by UNESCO to ensure safe and respectful access for all visitors, including non-Muslims.

Additionally, guides can acknowledge the controversy diplomatically by framing the reconversion as part of broader political and cultural dynamics in Turkey, noting that while it has drawn criticism from international bodies and religious groups, it also reflects domestic sentiments tied to national identity and religious resurgence under President Erdogan's leadership.

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The Turkish Ministry of Tourism has introduced educational resources for visitors to the Hagia Sophia, including headset guides with QR codes providing information in 23 languages about the site's Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman annexes, and other historical features, ensuring tourists can learn about its cultural significance without disrupting prayer activities in its current mosque setting.

To enhance visitor understanding of the Hagia Sophia's historical and cultural importance, the Turkish government has implemented a visitor management plan based on UNESCO recommendations, which includes controlled access routes and restoration efforts to preserve the site's integrity amidst increased tourist and pilgrim traffic.

Social media has played a significant role in amplifying public opinion and awareness of the Hagia Sophia controversy, with platforms like Twitter and Facebook serving as spaces for both domestic and international debate on the issue, highlighting its religious and political implications.

Title:

Content: -- -- -- / -- -- --
Site Management
The audience of the exhibition Algeria ends the charge of illegibility and presents new phenomena for study
They are looking for Emma Johnson.
Jane Austen and Harry Potter
ZAHIA MANSER
• 232
• 0
The 25th edition of the International Book Fair, which concluded on Friday at the Exhibition Palace, registered a large turnout for the public despite the exceptional circumstances in which it was organized almost three years after the closure imposed by the Corona pandemic.
The publishers we spoke to agreed that the turnout recorded by the exhibition pushes us to abandon the preconceived ideas that we are used to launch each time because the Algerian does not read, where the publishers called to reconsider because the exhibition proved that the Algerian reads and acquires the book and has nothing to do with the social conditions, where Ms. Hamash, representative of the “Anab ” publications wing, said that the luxury book in heritage, for example, was a great turnout by the public, although its prices are rather high....
The exhibition attracted young people who were given a lot of space in the salon, both in terms of the number of exhibiting roles and in the signing sessions. Here, the representative of Dar Algérie Reads indicates that the house attracts young readers who come deliberately in search of specific titles.
This phenomenon is attributed by the director of Khayal publications Rafik Tayebi to the new marketing methods that the new youth role has become adopted, namely marketing and promotion through social networking sites, especially Facebook.
Facebook is the weapon of the new role in attracting readers and the novel in the forefront of sales
In its 25th edition, the International Salon recorded a great demand for books in English by the new generation, where the representative of the House of “Wallsworts ” explained that the audience of readers who go to the pavilion between the ages of 13 and 25 years, where the pavilion witnessed an unusual movement since the first day, as the books of Harry Potter and the novels of Emma Johnson and Jane Austen, which are classics of English literature.
The representative of the house said that the great demand of young people on the book in English requires us to work on finding new sociological approaches to understanding and studying the reading in Algeria rather than just making judgments because we do not know our society closely.
Lakhdar bin Tubal, “Malak ” and Algeria 62..
The book is an audience looking for controversy.
In addition to the books that recorded the highest turnout, the Algiers exhibition maintained its “opening line ” in attracting the audience of the novel and the historical book, where the book“ The National Movement ” by Rabeh Belaid, for example, recorded a large turnout in the pavilion of Dar Bahauddin, which also launched the Diwan of the expatriate poet Rashida Mahamdi “Eklel Fifteen ”, the book planned by Mohamed Sferbati, the callian, the calligrapher of the Republic. He sold nearly four million copies on Amazon, a figure no writer has ever achieved before and made Rashida Mahamedi the first writer Amazon would pay for.
In the wing of Al-Shehab publications was the predominance of the memoirs of the late Lakhdar bin Tubal, who recorded a large turnout of readers, and the wing of the Kasbah also attracted readers of history, where the book Ould Qabla on “Al-Malak ” recorded a great turnout in addition to the recent novel by Anwar bin Malik.
The book “Algeria 1962 A Popular History ” of the Academy Malika Rahal about the publications of the isthmus also recorded a great turnout, a phenomenon explained by the representative of the Kasbah wing by the controversy and debate caused by some books, whether in the media or on social networking sites.
The public wants to discover the mystery of the controversy that these books have created.
On the side of the novel, the novels of the awards were strongly attended, such as the resurrection of the Hashashin by Hadi al-Timumi in the wing of Dar Dhimma and the Warraq books of Jalal Barjas in the wing of the same house, in addition to the novel Buthaina al-Issa, which was carried out in one signing session, where the writer was the guest of honor of the exhibition.
The novel “Resurrection of Us ” also by the friend Haj Ahmed was also Iqbal in the wing of Dar Khayal, the same observation that we stood on in the wing of difference and the publications of the Egyptian eye, where the shelf of the novels crowned with prizes was the most attractive to readers and this means for the official of the wing that the Algerian reader is a smart reader and knows what he wants and informed and requirement and not a random reader.
On the economic side, the representative of the Dar “Alpha Do ” said that the Islamic banking books prevailed in the wing of the house specialized in the scientific book, and this coincided with the debate in the arena on the Islamic tax in the framework of the economic transformations that the country is experiencing.
The representatives of the role called for studying the phenomenon of the public at the International Book Fair and addressing the phenomenon of demand from a sociological point of view, to come up with results that may help the publishing sector develop the book policy in Algeria and create new approaches in line with the dynamics of Algerian society and the new trends in culture in the new generation.
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Social media has also facilitated the spread of polarized narratives, with some users supporting the reconversion as a restoration of Islamic identity, while others criticize it as undermining the site's historical and multicultural significance, further fueling global discourse on the matter.

Title:

Content: Directions
Stay in the old time!
Mohammed Al Rumaihi
Author and Professor of Sociology
+ A -A
Publish Date: 14 May 2022 2: 13 GMT
Rarely does a widely recognized professional and objective magazine such as The Economist weekly have a place to discuss an Arab drama.
In the second week.
Rarely does a widely recognized professional and objective magazine such as The Economist weekly have a place to discuss an Arab drama.
In the second week of this month, about half a page was devoted to discussing the series “Choice 3, ” about which much has been written in the Arab press, as expected, the magazine began its discussion by saying that“ the series narrated the end of Egypt ’ s first democracy, ” a view that is widespread in the Western press, but not necessarily a definitive opinion on the subject, if details are known.
In the same week that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi honored the heroes of the work in front of a large audience, and talked about the importance of dramatic and artistic works in raising awareness of society, the fact that some of us know that serious works of art are part of the soft power possessed by the state, in the same week the jihadists, as they call themselves, kill more than ten Egyptian soldiers guarding a civilian site!
It's Christmas week!
Therefore, the picture before us is more important and broader than what happened in a drama, the issue is that there is a general culture of billions of people called Islam has become widely hijacked, and this kidnapping has made some people put the harsh blame on the teachings of Islam!
Not to a small group of people who call themselves Muslims (Jihadists)!
They commit the most heinous crimes, and their work is closer to criminality than anything else.
This particular dossier is very close to it, and it has led some, even in the Muslim social fabric, to accept that the problem we face is in the texts!
The murderous killing of Egyptian soldiers, which is not the only one, and I do not think it will be the last in Egypt or elsewhere, is the work of these groups, and without an extensive and tireless cultural campaign – to try to disentangle the rational interpretation of Islam from the “politicized ” interpretation, as do groups and individuals of color between full militancy and less militancy, a set of schools that have spread in our Islamic culture for at least a century. Political recruitment – cultural, and on the other hand, perhaps unconscious accommodation by some authorities – I would say without a tireless cultural campaign that cannot be easily eradicated.
These schools have caused so many tragedies that the concepts of “extremism and terrorism ” have become attached to the Muslim man wherever he goes!
Without disengagement, societies will remain hostage to old times!
The modern media, especially social media, have made the broadcast of these ideas (irrational) by loading the text more than possible, or the semi-superstitious interpretation of the texts, made it an "economic" process for some, or for those who want to promote themselves in an absent space, and these actions have proliferated to become almost prevalent, of course social media platforms. The falsehood of many of these people was revealed by showing what he was saying in the past (on a subject) and what he is saying today on the same subject, but these efforts are mostly individual and do not reach the total oblivious or convinced of what is said to him of the myths.
A single series, book, or television program cannot face this torrent of ignorance and absence in the name of religion, and absent from a realistic understanding of the texts, based on an ignorant mixing between general and transgressive texts, such as justice, mercy and human dignity, and similar texts that are usually transient to time, and other texts related to events that have expired, were providing solutions to the problems faced by that old society.
For example, the modern printing press stood at the gates of Islam for three hundred years because of a strict fatwa from “a world outside its time ”!
The Islamic world has lost a lever for modern science for centuries!
Some even intervened in the form of clothing and the method of treatment, which was interpreted as an interpretation coming from that time, and many of them remained until today dependent on religion, but the most painful for the sane to see the deviant political interpretation and study of the past give us examples of this type of negative employment!
As examples of plaintiffs in the past to explain this discretionary employment, Napoleon, and Mussolini years later, announced the conversion to Islam when they approached Muslim societies, and some celebrated this news with joy, as some celebrate today the “entry of someone ” to Islam!
Or celebrate that the Flemish leader of the big country puts a copy of the Koran on his desk!
Many people fail to understand the political gain from these actions if they are correct!
The experience of « Islam and the Fuhrer » has been documented in a number of studies back to it confirms that some of its time ignorance or political gain, linking the great Islam to something transient is the brutal German Nazism, at the same time that ignores or is lost or not at the top of the agenda files of scientific and technical progress, which is the era and the secret of the power of peoples.
There are many great Islamic humanitarian principles, including the categorical opinion that « no monastic in Islam », there is no mediator between the Lord and his slave, and anyone called mediation is a fraud and gain, and no one, no matter what, can claim infallibility, and the importance of work and effort in the reconstruction of the world and respect for human humanity has an advanced value in Islam.
Killing one human being without right is like killing all people, and that is just a few of the great principles that made billions of people embrace this religion, while killing people, blowing up institutions and ignoring people are anti-Islamic and harmful to Muslims, so we should refer to these groups not only as stray, but as criminal gangs that deny the justice and humanity of the Islamic call.
Last words:
The need for an enlightenment project starts with schools, families and places of worship and ends with conscious policies from countries that are interested in contributing to the modern era.
At the same time, stripping away plaintiffs who sell illusions to the public as being of the core of their religion!
Middle East
This article expresses the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the point of view of Eram News Network
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What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been used by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a potent symbol of Islamic resurgence and national pride, framing it as a continuation of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and a triumph for Islam, as reflected in his rhetoric during the inauguration speech in 2020 where he described it as 'the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to.'

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Critics, including international observers and Orthodox Christian institutions, have condemned the reconversion as a politically motivated act that undermines Turkey's commitment to religious tolerance and its secular identity, with some viewing it as a distraction from domestic issues such as inflation and economic instability, while others see it as a deliberate erasure of Turkey's multicultural legacy to consolidate Erdoğan's power base.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?