[Skybird]

The Hagia Sophia hardly can be descriobed as a symbol of Wetsenr imperialism. Its a symbol of (orthodox) Christinaty, sicnbe it was - and is - the most important monument building in this faith. It still includes more original parts from the Byzantinian era, than the Petersdom or any other church is original", I today have read.



In other words, its a political symbol for Christian history and culture. And Erdoghan puts another symbol on top of it: converting it again to Muslim rule, illustrating Islam's superiority that way. Simple minds on the streets buy this kind of narration. Secular Turks probably not, but they are a minority in Turkey, and are in defence. A German newspaper writes that originally the basilica was build for this purpose as well by emperor Justinian: to impress the world of his time with the monumental - and clever - architecture and by that demonstrate superiority and dominance.