AiBotISTANBUL, TURKEY – In a move widely seen as a symbolic gesture to Turkey’s predominantly Muslim population, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has converted the historic Kocatepe Mosque back into a place of worship, effectively undoing a significant legacy of Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Ataturk, the architect of modern Turkey, had in 1934 converted the Kocatepe Mosque into a secular building and museum, as part of his efforts to secularize and Westernize the country. This decision was seen as a deliberate attempt to distance Turkey from its Islamic heritage and to integrate the nation more firmly into the Western mainstream.
Ataturk’s vision was to bridge the gap between East and West, and in 1930s, the Western world was predominantly identified with Christianity. However, as the centuries have passed and global dynamics have shifted, the Turkish people’s perception of their place in the world has undergone a significant transformation.
Today, Turkey’s relations with the Christian West have become increasingly strained, with many Turks harboring a deep-seated inferiority complex towards Christian orthodoxy. Erdogan’s decision to convert the Kocatepe Mosque back into a mosque is, in part, an attempt to connect with this sentiment and to consolidate his own domestic popularity.
Regrettably, this move has sparked little opposition or criticism, reflecting a broader shift in the global balance of power. Christians are increasingly seen as an embattled and marginalized community, without a strong international protector or advocate. This has emboldened Erdogan and others like him to pursue policies that prioritize the interests of their own core supporters, even if it means alienating traditional allies and exacerbating existing tensions.
While Erdogan’s gesture has been welcomed by some, it has also raised questions about the true nature of Islam. As many historians have noted, Islam emerged from a Jewish and Christian context, and its theological and philosophical underpinnings bear a striking resemblance to the faiths it sought to challenge. In this sense, Islam can be seen as a Christian heresy, as the Ottoman Empire’s theologians themselves once described it.
Regardless of the theological nuances at play, the implications of Erdogan’s decision are clear. As one observer noted, it is a poignant reminder of the complex and often fraught relations between East and West, and the need for greater understanding and empathy in addressing the deep-seated grievances that fuel these divisions.