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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.
Navi Mumbai Students Shine At NMMC’s Inter-School Cultural Cup.
The Competition
The Inter-School Cultural Cup, organized by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Sports and Cultural Department, has received an enthusiastic response from students across the city. The event aims to encourage and showcase artistic talent, featuring competitions in singing, dance, short plays, and street plays.
The preliminary rounds, held on March 7 and 8, 2025, across two zones, saw over 4,000 students from various schools participating. A total of 54 schools competed in singing, 65 in dance, 28 in short plays, and 23 in street plays. These initial rounds were conducted in a rehearsal format without elaborate costumes.
A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the performances, including music composer Rigved Deshpande for singing and dancer Priya Samarth for dance. Following the intense preliminary rounds, 20 schools have qualified for the finals in singing and dance, while 10 schools each have advanced in short plays and street plays.
The finals for short plays and street plays are scheduled for March 12, 2025, at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, followed by the singing and dance finals on March 13 at the same venue.
The competition will conclude with a grand prize distribution ceremony on March 13 at 4 PM, where winners will be honored for their outstanding performances. The event continues to serve as a prestigious platform for young performers to display their artistic skills.
There is a severe bus shortage at NMMT’s Ghansoli Depot, severely impacting commuters.
The Shortage
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) Ghansoli depot is facing a severe crisis, with over 50% of its fleet rendered non-operational due to poor maintenance and technical failures. The situation has led to significant inconvenience for daily commuters who rely on these services.
According to sources, out of the 114 buses in the depot’s fleet, as many as 75 are currently out of service. These buses have been grounded due to various technical issues, including engine failure, gear defects, and chassis cracks. As a result, only 39 buses are operational, of which eight are reserved for school students, leaving a mere 31 buses for public transport.
Commuters have raised concerns about the reliability and safety of the remaining operational buses, fearing mechanical failures due to inadequate maintenance. A Ghansoli resident voiced concerns about the potential risks posed by the poorly maintained buses.
NMMT General Manager Yogesh Kaduskar acknowledged the crisis and assured commuters that efforts are underway to repair and restore as many buses as possible. “We are working towards ensuring that maximum buses are repaired soon and brought on the road to serve commuters,” Kaduskar stated.
With limited buses available, passengers are struggling with overcrowding and increased waiting times. Many are urging NMMT to expedite repairs and improve fleet maintenance to restore normalcy to public transport in the region.
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On April 7, NMMC Will Host Lokshahi Din, And Citizens Are Encouraged To Submit Grievances
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) will conduct its monthly Lokshahi Din (Democracy Day) on April 7, 2025, in line with Maharashtra government directives. The initiative allows citizens to present grievances directly to the administration for resolution.
Residents wishing to submit complaints must apply in the prescribed format in two copies by March 2, 2025, addressing their applications to the Commissioner of NMMC with “Application for Lokshahi Din” clearly marked on the front.
According to an NMMC official, only personal grievances related to a single department and a single issue will be considered. Applicants must have already approached the relevant department or authority before applying. Matters under judicial consideration, revenue or appeal-related issues, service concerns, and establishment-related complaints will not be entertained.
Applications that fail to follow the required format or lack supporting documents will be rejected. Additionally, grievances that are not personal in nature or have already received a final response will not be considered.
The prescribed application format is available free of charge at the Public Relations Department, 3rd Floor, NMMC New Headquarters, Sector 15A, near Kille Gaonthan, CBD Belapur.
Lokshahi Din serves as a crucial platform for direct citizen engagement with the administration, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. Residents are encouraged to submit their grievances promptly to take advantage of this opportunity.
Inter-School Cultural Cup Sees Overwhelming Participation In Navi Mumbai
Commuters Are Severely Impacted By The Severe Bus Shortage At NMMT’s Ghansoli Depot
On April 7, NMMC Will Host Lokshahi Din, And Citizens Are Encouraged To Submit Grievances
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