The video discusses the history of Hagia Sophia, a building in Istanbul, Turkey, that was originally a church, then converted to a mosque, and later became a museum. The speaker provides historical context, starting from 360 AD when the first church was built on the site, and explains the various transformations the building underwent over the centuries.
The speaker highlights the significance of Hagia Sophia as a symbol of Orthodox Christianity and its subsequent conversion to a mosque by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 AD. The speaker argues that the conversion was a result of the norms and traditions of war at that time, where the winner would claim the spoils of war, including buildings and territories.
The speaker also discusses the controversy surrounding the recent decision by Turkish President Erdogan to convert Hagia Sophia back into a mosque, citing the historical context and the fact that Turkey is a Muslim state. The speaker argues that the decision is not a surprise, given the country's sovereignty and the right to make decisions within its territory.
Throughout the video, the speaker engages with potential critics, addressing concerns about the decision and emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical context. The speaker also expresses frustration with those who are critical of the decision, suggesting that they are motivated by jealousy or a lack of understanding of the historical context.
Ultimately, the speaker sees the decision to convert Hagia Sophia back into a mosque as a significant event that should be celebrated by Muslims around the world, and argues that it is a testament to the enduring legacy of Islamic history and culture.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The museum of Hagia Sophia was officially converted to a mosque on July 10, 2020.
2. The first building on the site of Hagia Sophia was constructed in 360 AD during the reign of Constantine the First.
3. The original building was called Magali Iglesia, which means "The Great Church".
4. Constantine's son, Constantine the Second, took the throne after his father's death in 377 AD.
5. Constantine the Second was killed in 380 AD, and the building was burned to the ground.
6. Theodosius the First rebuilt the building in 416 AD.
7. Theodosius also built the well-known fences around the city of Constantinople.
8. There were riots in 532 AD that damaged parts of the building.
9. Justinian the First took the throne and ended the riots, and then rebuilt the building.
10. Justinian paid tribute to the Persians to avoid war.
11. The tribute was a common practice among countries at the time.
12. The United Nations Charter also recognizes the practice of paying tribute in times of war.
13. Justinian brought two architects, Isidros and Antimios, to build a new church.
14. The new church was built in five years and was called Hagia Sophia, or "The Sacred Wisdom".
15. The opening of the church was in 537 AD.
16. The church was the biggest Orthodox church in the world at the time.
17. The Prophet Muhammad was born in 571 AD, 34 years after the church was built.
18. The skirmishes between the Persians and the Romans on one side and the new-born Islamic state on the other side began after the Prophet Muhammad's mission.
19. The Sultan Mohamed the Conqueror conquered Constantinople in 1453 AD.
20. Mohamed the Conqueror converted some churches to mosques, including Hagia Sophia, but not all of them.
21. He also converted some churches to a Catholic church and gave others to the resident Jewish community.
22. A historical document on the internet states that Mohamed the Conqueror bought Hagia Sophia from his own money and then converted it to a mosque.
23. The West broke into the city of Constantinople in 1204 AD and destroyed everything, including the church.
24. The church was converted to a Catholic church and remained so until 1261 AD.
25. Mohamed the Conqueror did not enslave anyone or take anything from the church when he converted it to a mosque.
26. The church was converted to a museum in 1935 AD by Mustafa Ataturk.
27. Hagia Sophia stayed as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years.
28. Turkey is a Muslim state, and the current international customs and rules state that sovereign countries have the right to make decisions within their lands.
29. The Church of Seville in Andalus was one day a mosque for Muslims before the fall of Andalus.
30. The annual celebrations are held to celebrate the fall of Andalus, while Muslims are annoyed by the sound of the call for prayer.