The secular state of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who turned the mosque of Hagia Sophia into a museum in 1934, has gone, the French newspaper Le Figaro said in an article.
Following yesterday’s prayer, in the presence of the Turkish president, the French newspaper Le Figaro ran the headline today: “Erdogan’s Islamic power-grab act in Hagia Sophia.”
In the article, it was highlighted that the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque spelt the end of Ataturk’s era. The message is clear: “The Ottoman Empire will be the new model of governance in modern Turkey. The secular state of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who turned the mosque of Hagia Sophia into a museum in 1934, has now gone.”
In the article, it is pointed out that Hagia Sophia had gradually become the living proof of the efforts of reconciliation between Christian and Muslim monotheism. “This huge step backwards is a nail in the coffin of Kemal Ataturk, whose statues were removed by Erdogan. Kemal Ataturk was discredited for his secular policies, as he represents a Turkey that has no imperial ambitions.”
According to the article, Erdogan is thus distracting attention from the economic crisis and the diminished popularity of his party, the AKP, which has lost the support of Constantinople, Ankara and other major cities in the municipal elections.
Finally, as reported by the French daily newspaper Le Figaro, “Erdogan affirms loudly and clearly that he will no longer be hampered by Western values such as democracy. He undermines the image of a relatively open Muslim society. This disturbing ‘ally’ is creating an irreparable rift with the West.”