LETTER | A conqueror mindset is inimical to dialogue

LETTER | The Association for Welfare, Community, and Dialogue (Acid) is saddened by the decision of Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to convert the ancient Byzantine Chora Church in the heart of Istanbul into a mosque.

This decision is reminiscent of the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020.

The move to repurpose it as a mosque has drawn criticism from preservationists and religious minority groups alike, who argue that it represents a disregard for cultural heritage and religious tolerance.

Today there is a global appeal to do away with Islamophobia, which is a legitimate call, but the actions of Turkiye authorities in converting a Christian heritage site into a mosque will only reinforce distrust among non-muslims.

It will bring back the ancient wounds of the clash of civilisations and damage the relative Christian-Muslim unity that honest peace brokers painstakingly forged on both sides in several countries where there are Muslim and Christian presence.

A few months ago I was in Turkiye and discovered a strong Christian presence in its architectural and religious history.

There are Christian archaeological sites in places like Ephesus, Cappadocia, and Istanbul.

In the Christian bible, the New Testament books such as Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians were all written to churches in what is modern-day Turkiye.

The fundamental question in any meaningful civilisational dialogue is how one perceives and reciprocates equality.

One cannot demand equality when one is a minority in a country and at the same time insist on majoritarian hegemony when there is a majority.

The Muslim communities around the world legitimately demand equality wherever they are a minority, but such a demand is not respected in certain Muslim-majority countries.

It is time the Istanbul authorities respect the places of heritage of the Christians that contributed much to what Turkiye is today.

Authentic dialogue among civilisations can only take place when a conqueror mindset is discarded.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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