Minarets

Middle East » Turkey » Mediterranean » Antakya

Advertisement
Turkeys flagPublished: May 15th 2012Middle East » Turkey » Mediterranean » Antakya
May 15th 2012

They are called minarets... In a different era there would have men on their balconies - singing the prayers - today they have speakers attached with a man in the bottom - singing the prayers. They are a constant reminder that this place is steeped in faith. It is not the occasional bells of a church - but a visual and auditory reminder that I am in fact "not in Kansas anymore". Not to say of course that people in Kansas are godless - only that they are in possession of "god light" - think Miller (or Bud). Here - everyone wears their faith, it is open and evident and something that I am always lacking. It is hard to understand such complete surrender - this modern field of Atheism does not seem to exist here. I had a serious talk with my friend Louis (Luis) who is a monk. He has this uncanny grasp of faith and life - and yet he is so young. He said that some say dedication to god is a vocation - but it's not true - you can choose to do it or not, like all things. But maybe he has never been without the voice of god in his heart? I wish I knew. He shared so much with me tonight - I hope at some point I can return the favor.

Advertisement

Misty
I am a graduate student in history/anthropology. I have a deep love for all things ancient and religious and would spend all my time wandering dusty old tombs and castles if they would fund me. I am currently in Hatay, Turkey working, researching and just enjoying the summer. ... full info
JoinedApril 24th 2012 Trips1
Last LoginOctober 20th 2012 Followers0
StatusBLOGGER Follows0
Blogs22 Guestbook21
Photos113 Forum Posts0
Blog Options
Turkey
Turkey mapTurkey flag
Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopt...more info
Advertisement

Trips
Turkey
May 1st 2012 -» August 18th 2012

Blogged From
Visited Countries
TravelBlog Awards










Comments
Date: 15th May 2012


First of all, I love reading your blog Bridget :) Every time I get an email notification I'm so excited to read what you've written next! Secondly, I understand what you were writing about here; as a British convert I'm constantly grappling with coming from such a huge Atheist background, but also surrendering myself to the faith that I've chosen. For my husband, a born Muslim, Atheism doesn't exist on his radar. And also, aren't the calls to prayer such an eerie/beautiful sound? The first time I went to Egypt it was almost on the edge of making me feel crazy! But that might have been because there were like 12 different calls in the same street all clashing with each other.

From Blog: Minarets




Tot: 0.113s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 10; qc: 54; dbt: 0.036s; 1; s:apollo w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 2; ; mem: 6.4mb