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Cathedral Hagia Sophia, A 1500 years old church converted to mosque, Turkey’s President said its Turkey’s ‘sovereign right’.
The order of the highest court stated, “It was concluded that the settlement deed allocated it as a mosque and its use outside this character is not possible legally. The cabinet decision in 1934 that ended its use as a mosque and defined it as a museum did not comply with laws.”
As reported, Erdogan said in a national address, “With this court ruling, and with the measures we took in line with the decision, Hagia Sophia became a mosque again, after 86 years, in the way Fatih the conqueror of Istanbul had wanted it to be.”
In a press conference, Erdogan informed that the first Muslim prayers would be held inside Haga Sophia on July 24. He also told, ” Like all our mosques, the doors of Hagia Sophia will be wide open to locals, and foreigners, Muslims and Non-Muslims.” The Turkish officials clearly mentioned that the Christian emblems like mosaics of the Virgin Mary on the golden dome of the cathedral would not be removed.
According to Erdogan, the status of Hagia Sophia is their domestic matter where any intervention from ‘international players’ is not welcome. This decision has prompted criticism from various religious and political leaders from across the globe.
Reportedly, UNESCO has stated that it deeply regrets this decision of converting the museum into a mosque and has asked Turkish authorities to immediately open a dialogue without delay. UNESCO further added that its World Heritage Committee would review Hagia Sophia’s status. The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, Cyprus, the US and Greece too have criticized this decree and have condemned it. They also accused this Turkey’s decision of ignoring voices of millions of Christians. Hagia Sophia has long been the symbol of Muslim- Christian Cultural Rivalry and this decision could now lead to greater divisions since Hagia Sophia is a site which is equally revered by both, Christians and Muslims.
It is apparent that Erdogan headed Turkish government has quashed its secular foundations with this step. Is this decision taken to strengthen the Islamisation of the Turkish society and to gain political mileage? However, the political gain would be short term but can cost long term disharmony between Christians and Muslims.
Hagia Sophia, famous for the grandeur of its iconic dome, is the landmark of Istanbul and is a magnet for tourists worldwide. Today, it is Turkey’s most popular tourist attraction drawing more than 3.6 million visitors last year.
On Thursday, September 19, Sanjay Shirsat, the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representative from Aurangabad West, assumed the role of Chairman of the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO). He assumed command of his position in Navi Mumbai’s CIDCO Bhavan.
Present at the event were Chief Vigilance Officer Suresh Mengde, Joint Managing Directors Shantanu Goyal, Ganesh Deshmukh, and Dilip Dhole, as well as Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Singhal of CIDCO.
Shirsat made the following statement during his speech: “CIDCO has been essential to Maharashtra’s progress to date. My main goal will be to keep CIDCO’s standing as a preeminent authority on urban planning and development while making sure that important projects like the mass housing project, NAINA (Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area) City, and the international airport are completed on schedule. Making judgments that will help the general public and the Navi Mumbai residents impacted by the project will also be my top responsibility. The goal of CIDCO to provide reasonably priced housing to the general public will soon be accomplished.”
PWD Minister Ravindra Chavan launched a cleanliness campaign as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission in Kumbharkhan Pada, Dombivli (W), urging collective efforts to maintain clean surroundings. The campaign, running from September 18 to October 2, 2024, focuses on enhancing municipal area cleanliness.
At the event, Additional Commissioner Harshal Gaikwad, former Municipal Member Vikas Mhatre, Deputy Commissioner Atul Patil, and local citizens, including NSS students, participated. Attendees took a cleanliness oath and enjoyed a street play emphasizing the importance of cleanliness.
Since the launch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation has been actively involved in cleanliness initiatives. After Anant Chaturdashi, they launched a campaign focusing on cleaning Ganesh Ghat and nearby areas. Minister Chavan, alongside Municipal Commissioner Dr Indu Rani Jakhar and Solid Waste Management Department employees, led a cleaning drive at Kumbharkhanpada Ganeshghat. They also planted indigenous trees under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
The campaign began at Durgadi Ganesh Ghat, Kalyan (W), where Dr Jakhar administered a cleanliness oath. She urged citizens to participate actively in the fortnight-long campaign, which includes various awareness activities. Deputy Commissioner Atul Patil introduced the program at both locations and brand ambassador Dr Prashant Patil, along with other officials, contributed to the event.
This campaign aims to inspire public engagement in maintaining cleanliness and environmental sustainability.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde officially began the Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) Swachhta Hi Seva campaign at Parsik Retibandar Visarjan Ghat on Tuesday, September 17. The Chief Minister encouraged attendees to maintain high standards of cleanliness in their daily lives and stressed the value of cleanliness for health throughout the occasion.
Chief Minister Shinde made a personal commitment to uphold cleanliness during the event, promising not to litter and to make sure others do the same. In addition to promoting the adoption of appropriate trash disposal techniques, he pledged to separate waste into wet and dry categories. He also promised to assist the Swachh Bharat Mission by minimizing the usage of plastic and thermocol, with the goal of making Thane and the country as a whole free of these materials.
Members of Parliament Naresh Mhaske, Saurabh Rao, Additional Commissioners Sandeep Malvi and Prashant Rode, Deputy Commissioner Manish Joshi, Shankar Patole, Health Officer Dr Rani Shinde, and Executive Engineer Sudhir Gaikwad were present at the opening event.
Chief Minister Shinde gave away saplings to residents as part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. From September 17 to October 2, the nation will be enthralled with the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign, which will include public awareness campaigns, cleanliness drives, and the installation of selfie stations with themes like Green Thane, Swachhta Karmchari, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. The goal of the program is to increase public awareness and participation in cleanliness after October 2.
As CIDCO Chairman, Maharashtra Legislator Sanjay Shirsat Takes Control
The Swachh Bharat Mission Cleanliness Drive Is Launched By Minister Ravindra Chavan
Campaign ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ Is Launched In Thane By Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
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