Hagia Sophia Mosque

The conquest of Istanbul was a major turning point not only for Turkish and Islamic history but for all of humanity. The Ottoman Empire established peace, tolerance, and prosperity across a vast geographical area for centuries. This period, known in history as the "Ottoman Peace" (Pax Ottomana), reflects a unique climate of tranquility and a vision of civilization in challenging regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans, and the Caucasus, which are currently plagued by incessant conflicts and wars. This profound understanding of tolerance, which ensured the peaceful coexistence of people of diverse nationalities, ethnicities, languages, religions, sects, and beliefs for centuries, was evident in the attitude of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror from the very first moments of the conquest of Istanbul.