He issued a statement justifying the conversion of the historic Hagia Sofia church, which was then a museum, into a mosque. He used the language of tolerance and openness and legal rights:
But his message in Arabic was much different in content and tone:
Reviving Aya Sofia is glad tidings regarding the return of the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s freedom.Reviving Aya Sofia is a new beginning for Muslims all over the world on the way out from dark ages.Reviving Aya Sofia does not only represent the return of hope for Muslims, but for all the wronged, oppressed, down-trodden, and exploited.Reviving Aya Sofia is a greeting from the bottom of our hearts to all the cities that represent our civilization, starting with Bukhara, all the way to Andalusia.Reopening the Aya Sofia – the will of Mehmed Fatih (Mehmed “the Conqueror”) – as a mosque, 70 years after the return of the call to prayer is a revival (resurrection) that was fulfilled belatedly.This scene is the best answer to the disgusting attacks that target all our symbolic values all over the Islamic world.Through all the steps that Turkey has taken lately, it affirms that it is active, not passive, in this time and place.Allah willing, we will continue on this blessed path, without stopping, tirelessly and indefatigably, with all our resolve, sacrifice, and persistence, until we reach our goal.
And what goal might that be, if it includes Islamicizing Spain (Andalusia) and making the Temple Mount Judenrein again?
(h/t Ibn Boutros)
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