goldem globes

I hold the spell. In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, there is one thing that remains constant - the power of words. Words hold immense power, they have the ability to build, destroy, heal, and hurt. They can shape destinies and change lives. I believe that I hold the spell to create magic through the written word. In my hands, a blank page becomes a canvas, waiting to be filled with emotions, stories, and ideas.

Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called for curricula in publicly funded schools to teach histories of residential schools and to acknowledge injustices committed against Indigenous Peoples.

In Canada, those schools were managed by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, United and Presbyterian churches before some Methodist and Presbyterian formed the United Church in 1925, the Methodist Church was an operator of schools. Pagan is an umbrella term that includes a number of different spiritual beliefs, often lumped in with primitive beliefs, which was used to describe people from rural areas who had not adopted Christianity.

In my hands, a blank page becomes a canvas, waiting to be filled with emotions, stories, and ideas. With every stroke of my pen, I can create worlds that transport readers to far-off places and make them experience the unimaginable. I can breathe life into characters, giving them a voice that resonates with readers and makes them feel understood.

Hagia Sophia controversy goes beyond Muslim-Christian tensions to treatment of ‘paganism’

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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The recent uproar from within Turkey and globally about changes to Hagia Sophia — a 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of religious significance to both Christians and Muslims — is justified and understandable.

A Turkish court revoked the site’s status as a museum while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the space open for Muslim prayer. The move effectively claimed Hagia Sophia as a mosque and is seen as part of Erdogan’s push to assert his version of an exclusionary religious Islamic identity in Turkey.

The Greek Foreign Ministry characterized the changes as the “religious and nationalist fanatic ramblings of today’s Turkey.” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual head of many Orthodox Christians, said the change would be divisive and Pope Francis expressed sadness and disappointment. UNESCO says revoking the museum status undermines an important “symbol for dialogue.”

But missing from this debate is acknowledgement that the controversy implies more than the need for deeper Christian-Muslim dialogues. Some believe that the Hagia Sophia, first a Christian cathedral in the eastern Roman Empire, was built on the site of an ancient pagan temple.

Today, while there are contentious scholarly debates about how to understand contemporary efforts to study or reconstruct older pagan religions and their meaning, pagan refers to those who follow a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion. Some contemporary people follow forms of paganism. (In Canada’s 2001 census, more than 25,000 people identified as pagan.) But the pagan label is also continually used to inaccurately lump together an arguably diverse group of non-Abrahamic belief systems.

We believe that with the right will and attitude, global communities could channel the Hagia Sophia controversy to push for deepening dialogues among the major Abrahamic religions about how their religious histories have intersected with what they viewed as paganism, and what this means today. Such dialogues would rightly also mean a much-needed critical and fresh global engagement with Indigenous rights, justice issues and spiritualities.

Visitors look at one of the ancient Christian mosaics inside the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia (‘Holy Wisdom’), in Istanbul, October 2010. The mosaics will be covered with curtains during Muslim prayer, officials have said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

But with this power comes great responsibility. I must wield my words carefully, for they can be as destructive as they are constructive. I must choose my subject matter wisely, knowing that every word has the potential to leave a lasting impact. I must be mindful of the messages I convey, ensuring that they spread love, kindness, and understanding. As a writer, I hold the spell to challenge societal norms and question the status quo. I can shed light on issues that are often swept under the rug and ignite conversations that lead to change. Whether it be through thought-provoking essays, heart-rending poems, or gripping novels, I can give a voice to the voiceless and fight for justice. But beyond the power to create change, writing also provides solace in times of darkness. It is a therapeutic release, a balm for a weary soul. In the act of putting pen to paper, I can process my emotions, unravel my thoughts, and find clarity in the chaos. Writing allows me to explore the depths of my own mind and connect with others who share similar struggles. In a world that is often overwhelmed by noise and distractions, writing provides an escape. It is a place where I can be vulnerable, where my innermost thoughts can come alive. It is a space where I can be my truest self, free from judgment or ridicule. I hold the spell to create my own reality, one where imagination and creativity know no bounds. In the end, the power of words rests in my hands. I hold the spell to wield this power for good, to shape a better world, and to inspire others to do the same. Through the magic of writing, I can leave a mark on the world, one that will be remembered long after I'm gone. I hold the spell, and with it, the power to create, inspire, and change lives. Let the enchantment begin..

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