IAS important essay on turkey's hagia sophia

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Mains Question:-

Q1. Discuss the importance of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Q2. Discuss the cultural impact of Turkey's move to convert world heritage site Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

                Turkey's Hagia Sophia

 

Why in news?

As the Turkish President signed a decree on Friday converting the ancient Hagia Sophia in Istanbul into a mosque, the UN cultural agency (UNESCO) said that it "deeply regrets the decision" made "without prior discussion", called on the State to abide by its “legal commitments and obligations” in accordance with it's status

as a museum, on the World Heritage List.

 

About Turkey's Hagia Sophia

Ø The majestic building was founded around 1,500 years ago as a cathedral and is widely regarded as the foremost example of Byzantine Christian architecture in the world.

Ø Following the rise of the Ottoman Empire, it became a mosque, but in 1934, was designated a secular museum, shared by Christians, Muslims and those of all faiths or none, alike.

Ø It is a part of the “Historic Areas of Istanbul”, and officially inscribed on the World Heritage List as a museum.

 

About the Recent move

Ø President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the decree following years of campaigning by a cultural association, and the decision earlier by a Turkish court, handing control of the building over to the nation's religious directorate, allowing it to reopen for worship as a mosque.

Ø Reacting to the decision, Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, described by the building as "an architectural masterpiece, and a unique testimony to interactions between Europe and Asia over the centuries. Its status as a museum reflects the universal nature of its heritage and makes it a powerful symbol for dialogue."

 

Call for dialogue

Ø UNESCO said in a statement issued before the decree, that it had written to the Government and called for “dialogue” with the authorities, before taking any decision that might impact the universal value of the site.

Ø Hagia Sophia, is part of the “Historic Areas of Istanbul”, and officially inscribed on the World Heritage List as a museum and this inscription entails a number of legal commitments and obligations.

Ø Thus, a State must ensure that no modification is made to the outstanding universal value of the property inscribed on its territory”, said the UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

 

No modification 'without prior notification'

Ø Any modification requires prior notification by the State concerned to UNESCO and then, if necessary, examination by the World Heritage Committee.

Ø “Outstanding universal value” is the basis for the decision to inscribe any property on the World Heritage List.

Ø The texts adopted by the Committee specify that the 'Historic Areas of Istanbul' is inscribed notably for 'its unique integration of architectural masterpieces reflecting the meeting of Europe and Asia over several centuries' and because 'Hagia Sophia' became a model for an entire family of churches and later mosques, and the mosaics of the palaces and churches of Constantinople, influenced both Eastern and Western art.

Further action by UNESCO

Ø Hagia Sophia has a strong symbolic, historical and universal value.

Ø Thus, UNESCO called upon the Turkish authorities to initiate dialogue without delay, in order to prevent any detrimental effect on the universal value of this exceptional heritage, the state of conservation of which will be examined by the World Heritage Committee at its next session.

Ø It is important to avoid any implementing measure, without prior discussion with UNESCO, that would affect physical access to the site, the structure of the buildings, the site's moveable property, or the site's management.

Ø Such measures could constitute breaches of the rules derived from the 1972 WorldHeritage Convention.

World Heritage site

Ø It is any of various areas or objects inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

Ø The sites are designated as having “outstanding universal value” under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Ø The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

Ø This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

Ø This document was adopted by UNESCO in 1972 and formally took effect in 1975 after having been ratified by 20 countries. It provides a framework for international cooperation in preserving and protecting cultural treasures and natural areas throughout the world.

World Heritage sites in India

Ø There are 38 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 30 cultural sites, seven natural sites and one mixed-criteria site.

Ø India has the sixth largest number of sites in the world.

Importance

Getting featured on the list of World Heritage Sites affords the location a coveted status, driving up demand for travel and tourism from around the world geared towards it.