The Empire Strikes Back, a photo from Istanbul, Marmara

Photographer's Note

Today is another dark day in Turkish history. The Turkish Council of State has annulled Hagia Sophia's museum status. As BBC's Orla Guerin notes, "Making changes at Hagia Sophia is profoundly symbolic. It was Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, who decreed that it should be a museum. ... Erdogan is now taking one more step to dismantle Atatürk's secular legacy, and remould Turkey according to his [own] vision. The Turkish leader - who presents himself as a modern day conqueror..." To me, it is little comfort that the presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Turkey would preserve the Christian icons in the building. This decision is signalling the end of Atatürk's heritage of secularity in my homeland. That is what makes me sad.

Exif Data:
Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D300S
Software: Ver.1.01
Exposure Time: 1/800
F-Stop: f/14.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 800
Focal Length: 11 mm
Date Taken: 2018-07-21 07:56
Metering Mode: Pattern
File Size: 1774 k

COSTANTINO, pajaran, jemaflor, holmertz, PaulVDV, ikeharel, ecmel, PiotrF, jhm, Fis2, ChrisJ, fotka oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

ifege (28457) 2020-07-10 20:50

Hi Murat
Yes - a disappointment. I visited Hagia Sophia 22 years ago and was very impressed that it contained evidence of its past lives as a church and then as a mosque.
Excellent photo.
cheers
Ian

Silvio1953 (201610) 2020-07-10 22:00

Ciao Murat, great view of fascinating mosque, lovely composition with a lot of people, excellent clarity, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

COSTANTINO (101072) 2020-07-10 22:16

Hello my friend murat
I red carefully your useful notes
so sad information for me !!!!!
lets hope that everybody will
preserve the Christian icons in this
valuable building
what a pity!!!!!!!!!
regards
Costantino

pajaran (99789) 2020-07-10 22:17

Greeting.
beautiful square and old architecture, well shown with good perspective, text and beautiful colors.
Beautiful minarets and a mosque, beautiful white clouds in the blue sky.
I wish you all the best.
Paja.

jemaflor (132570) 2020-07-10 22:58

Hi Murat,
Nice architecture well presented, good sunlight capture and beautiful colors, good depth effect with the view of theses lines on the ground. Interesting opinion on your note ...

holmertz (90350) 2020-07-11 0:38

Hello Murat,
This also made me sad and disappointed but not surprised. What else could be expected of a cynical populist anxious to become the mightiest Sultan in history? But, after all, there are less than 3,000 mosques in Istanbul, so one more was probably needed. The Camlica mosque opened last year and taking 63,000 worshippers was obviously not enough.
But it's a nice photo of one of the finest churches in the world. The colors are beautiful.
Best regards,
Gert

[2]

PaulVDV (52418) 2020-07-11 1:16

Hello Murat,
The picture of the Hagia Sophia is excellent.
I notice that several years ago there was on TE regularly contest of people living in Turkey on events, decisions.
For years nothing anymore. Has the country been completely silenced?
Best regards, Paul

ikeharel (104099) 2020-07-11 3:03

A fair vdistant view upon the famous edifice, Murat, the big lot in front provids good sense of depth to the composition.
Summer light with blue sky work marvelously here.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike

ecmel (1692) 2020-07-11 7:37

Merhaba Murat Bey,
The decision of Hagia Sophia to be a museum in 1934 was an important step towards the neutrality of the state and hence towards secular civilization. Unfortunately, we lost it today.
Selamlarımla Ecmel

PiotrF (50000) 2020-07-11 9:13

Hello Murat
A very nice summer picture from Fatih with great architecture.
I like good composition, nice colors and good quality.
Good work.
Regards
Piotr

Tue (79488) 2020-07-11 10:05

Hello Murat,
I heard about the decision and I understand your concern. This is a beautiful photo of the monument, seen in a bright sunlight and with very pleasant, natural colours.
Lars

jhm (199867) 2020-07-11 10:18

Hello Murat,

Splendid nice picture about the square of the city.
Lovely panorama image too with mosque in background.
Composition and presentation are pleasant.
Very well done, TFS

Best regards,
John.

mkamionka (57655) 2020-07-11 12:33

Hi Murat,
I agree with you completely. This is a very important and symbolic gesture. Not a positive one.
The unique status of this important temple was a symbol of the respect for the previous empire which had its capital in this city before.
On one hand I agree that countries have the freedom and right to shape their policy as they want but what worries me if people are not respectful. This is sadly the case also in other countries also in my home country Poland where both the governing party as well as the opposition are quite aggressive and not showing any respect for others.
Respect, sensitivity, it does not cost much but it means a lot.
Great photo to go with this important note, I wish I can visit this beautiful city someday.
Excellent work,
M

Fis2 (152159) 2020-07-11 12:45

Witaj Murat!
A very interesting building, view makes impression.Good framing and curious colors.
I like this scene from daily life.
Well done.
Have a good sunday.
Krzysztof

lousat (127427) 2020-07-11 15:44

Hi Murat,i heard me too today on TV this crazy decision by Erdogan,and i'm sad me too,another pearl in the lot of bad things made by the turkish premier....no comment....but my best compliments for the beautiful pic. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

ChrisJ (156719) 2020-07-27 19:40

Hi Murat

A cheap political stunt by Erdogan which fails to impress most thinking people. Replacing secularism with fascism cannot be good for Turkey in the long run. Have been here several times and it never fails to impress. Good color and sharpness. Tfs!

fotka (7199) 2020-07-28 7:49

Hello Murat,
Today it is a hot topic about the Hagia Sophia's museum in the world news.
Great photo showing the mosque in all its glory with lines on the pavement leading the eyes to the object.
Great done picture as well as colors, light and sharpness.
Best regards,
Zbigniew

jmdias (99680) 2020-09-04 9:26

murat

I can understand the symbolism of the mosque. anyway I guess it can be used as a mosque, since it could be used as a museum too.the russians are doing this with some cathedrals too. but I guess you can say is about the danger of the symbolism of this attitude..
nice image.

take care

jorge