The well-wishers of Turkey have watched with mounting concern the developments taking place about the conversion of the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. The proposal has led to acrimonious debate between Turkey and the Orthodox Christian countries, led by Greece in particular, and the western countries in general. It is difficult to see what Turkey will gain out of this. There is hardly any lack of mosques in Istanbul. If at all, the shortage may only be that of the prayer-goers.

During the discussion leading up to this decision, all kinds of issues have been brought up based on territorial, legal, political, and historical considerations. Surprisingly the one element which should have formed the core of the discussions, has been missing and that is, just what is the Islamic teaching in such a matter.

What are the directions given to Muslims while dealing with acquisition of territories containing places of worship of other faiths, the Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, all belonging to the Abrahamic faiths? Surprisingly, one did not hear reference to what the Qur'an directs in this matter or what the noble prophet of Islam (may peace be upon him) and his immediate followers did in such situations. 

Qur'an, at ample places, has spoken about the need for freedom of religion and prayer and the Muslims’ duty to provide protection to the places of worship, churches and synagogues as well as the priests and rabbis therein. For example, verse 22:40 of Qur'an per Pickthall states that:

" […] For had it not been for God repelling some men by means of others, cloisters and churches and oratories and mosques, wherein the name of God is oft mentioned, would assuredly have been pulled down. Verily God helpeth one who helpeth Him. Lo! God is Strong, Almighty".

The Prophet’s (PBUH) actions are also well known and recorded in history, beginning with the “Covenant of Medina” in which the Jewish tribes were expressly given equal rights.  Later on, his letters to the Bishop of Najran and other churches and monasteries of lands into which Muslims were expanding, such as Sinai continue this legacy. Copies of such letters have been preserved and published (see -The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World by John Andrew Morrow).

Finally, the actions of the Prophet’s (PBUH) close companions, especially Umar, the second caliph of Islam’ are well known. Umar gave the Archbishop of Jerusalem Sophronious a letter duly witnessed by his Commanders, Khalid-bin-Walid, Amr-ibn-al-As, Abdul Rahman bin Auf and Muawiya bin Sufyan, guaranteeing protection of the Islamic State to the Christian churches and priests for all times to come. Umar refused the Archbishop’s invitation to say his prayers in a church, explaining that such an act might lead to Muslims of a later date to appropriate the church on the pretext that Umar had said his prayers there.

All this is well known and accepted by historians, both Muslim and Western, and surely the Turkish scholars are fully familiar with all this, knowing the illustrious role that the Turks have played in serving the cause of Islam over the ages. This leaves one guessing as to why the teachings of Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his close companions did not get due weight in deciding this issue and other factors got undue prominence.

My concern is that Turkey hardly stands to gain anything substantial from such a move and the world is liable to miss an outstanding opportunity to further the much-needed process of reconciliation amongst the three Abrahamic Faiths, in particular Christianity and Islam, the two largest components of the world's population. With the world suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, it can hardly afford a repeat of the tragic Crusades.

Proposal: Rather than converting Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, it is proposed that a much better course would be for our Turkish brothers and sisters to offer Hagia Sophia back to its Orthodox Christian ownership and management. This would convey a clear message that regardless of history, politics or legalities, Turkey is willingly acting in line with the true teachings of Islam (exemplified by the Prophet and his Companions in accordance with directives of Al-Qur'an), in a spirit of Reconciliation. In return the Christian world will willingly reciprocate the gesture by giving back the ownership and management of Cordoba's Grand mosque to the Islamic community. Similar exchanges of other churches and mosques can later be extended to other such cases in Europe and the Muslim world.

It does not call for much imagination to see what a salutary effect such a step would create on the worlds psyche in moving towards "A true spirit of reconciliation" rather than mere talk and increasing strife & violence all around. From a position of almost perpetual confrontation, our world can start moving towards the badly required spirit of understanding and accommodation, especially when this proposal brings about a totally win-win situation at practically no cost to any party involved, including Turkey.

Benefits:

1) It will provide a positive boost to the reputation of Turkey around the world, especially Europe, something which successive Turkish regimes have been longing for. 

2) Without any major cost, it will further stimulate the tourist traffic to Turkey, which again is one of the goals of Turkey and so will Spain benefit.

3) It will also start the badly needed process of "reconciliation" between the Christian and the Islamic Worlds to bring the two brother Abrahamic faiths closer together. In due course, it can make it easier to bring in the third, or should we say the “eldest brother”; i.e., the Jewish component.

4) By bringing in Catholic Spain into the arrangement, it will further the reconciliation efforts among the Orthodox church and Catholicism, which have dogged both for a millennium. 

5) This could well ignite other efforts for “reconciliation” around the world in other areas of conflict.

At 86, having dedicated much of my life to public service I've had a front row seat to major global events and seen what humanity is capable of when timely action is taken. One can only hope and pray that forward looking people on both sides and around the world see the benefits of such a win-win move and not fritter away this excellent opportunity of starting a process of “reconciliation” which our world so badly needs. 

Petition/Appeal: The “reconcilers" of the world, led by Pope Francis, are urged to lend their support to this appeal. If a large enough ground swell could be generated around the world, it will hopefully induce even any reluctant government to see the potential benefits and bring this proposal to fruition.