Job Discussion Forums

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

I would like to introduce a hot topic. As a person who converted to Islam well before I met my husband and before I ever visited Turkey I am seeing more and more accepted ignorance and discrimination from non-Muslims against people who choose to practice the religion of Islam. I am not a devoutly practicing Muslim, I do not pray five times a day nor do I choose to wear hijab but I do believe in the principles and ideas of the religion and highly respect people who chose to practice a devout Islamic life according to those principles.

What I see repeatedly in the USA and many other countries is a total LACK of knowledge or understanding. I find it even more insulting that some people believe that because I am married to a Turkish husband that I was someway forced or coerced into converting. (As I stated before I converted 2 years before meeting my husband). I believe religion is such a personal issue and thus would not allow anyone to make such a decision for me. I hear so many mistruths and blatant misleading comments from people who know nothing of the religion besides watching the media and meeting a few people who profess their faith of Islam from a very warped and non-Islamic matter of practice.

I see many people combining their cultural values with that of the Islamic faith and claiming it to be Islam. Often this is a deviation from what the actual Quran states. I know that in Turkey (a secular country) the idea of practicing Islam is a heated political issue among anyone who would like to excel in the political or government sector posts especially for women who chose to wear hijab. (Illegal for women to wear in the workplace ie: government sector, education sector and vast others).

I leave you now with my words and would love to hear the ideas and feelings from others.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:42 am Post subject:

Sex, politics,religion,and football are always great topics to debate on I hope that your topic runs and runs but somehow I doubt it ! Too many wars get started because of it and sadly ignorance is usually at the bottom of it .Too many tourists still come to this country ansd complain about having their sleep disturbed by the call to prayar in the early morning .It seems in this enlightened age America sees Islam as the new communism. I admire your choice of faith ,care to explain why you decided to do what you did ?

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Your right. Anytime someone expresses a non popular view it general causes such a issue. To respond to your question, I decided to convert after much research and in the quest to find a fault in the teaching. (My Turkish University roommate always wanted to debate the issue of Religion with me).To my surprise I actually began to agree and believe many of the things I was learning about the religion on my own.

It just seems everyday I hear a slander or ignorant comment from someone. Either on the subway, in the media, etc. I can't count the times I've heard someone say a negative comment about Islam when I tell them I'm moving to Turkey. I always get the "oh its so close to the war", "what about those Muslim extremists", "won't you be afraid to live in an Islamic state in Turkey (Turkey is a secular country)". I feel I have to try to educate and explain.

More and more I find that the freedoms of my country (USA) are actually being limited. Limited by a government that chooses to wage war or anything or anyone that isn't what they see as the accepted norm. I personally believe that killing is wrong, war is not the correct response and see a true hatred from many against the Islamic communities in many parts of the states.

Anyone else care to expand.

lovelace · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 190

I think you have to separate a kind of 'wilfil ignorance' from a genuine lack of knowledge about either Turkey or Islam. People who've never been to a Muslim country form their views based on what they see in the media. Before I came here the only images of Turkey I'd been exposed to were in news reports about current issues, like the problems in the South East or honour killings. Until the European Union thing reared its head again (by that time I was in the country), I don't think I'd ever seen Istanbul on the television. Or when they did show the city, they sometimes filmed the areas where people dress in a more overtly religious way. I researched before I came but I was still surprised at the contrasts that exist here. Remember, some people in the UK or the US live in areas, or live in such a way, that they never have the opportunity to meet or make friends with people of different backgrounds or religions. If someone doesn't have direct knowledge of a country or a religion, they are more likely to make assumptions based on what they see in the media. I think we should distinguish between that and out-and-out prejudice.

capricious · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 24

Caterina,

I'm just curious to know what exactly appealed to you in Islam to make you want to convert? What is it that you found in Islam that your ex-religion lacked?

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

This is not much different from the profound ignorance and stereotypes about Christianity and Judaism in much of Asia -- Turkey included.

What do you do when you hear insults and prejudiced views voiced by Turkish Muslims against Judaism or Christianity? Are you equally "hot" and bothered?

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

I think this quote shares my feelings about all faiths.....

"Be so tolerant that your heart becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love for others. Offer a hand to those in trouble, and be concerned about everyone." -- M. Fethullah Gulen (Liberal Islamist)

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

To be fair, nearly all Muslim Turks I've met have been quite respectful towards me and respect my being a Christian / Jew. The Ottoman Empire was very accomodating for those of different faiths and offered many Jews protection from persecution and I think that has carried through into the Turkish mindset. I have heard that things have been taking a turn for the worst recently though.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

A catholic Rangers supporter ? Why not ? In Scotland even the left-footers have a Calvinist mindset !

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

billybuzz · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 219 Location: turkey

Ihave to go along with the op about not finding all the answers with her orginal faith .I assume that was the general thrust of her change to Islam .however.it is difficult to embrace a faith where blind and devout obidience is considered the absolute norm .Even in moderate muslim countries like Turkey people were killed over the cartoons issue can the same be said of a christain faith ?How often do we here from extreme muslim groups that all non believers should be killed Sorry but I don't see a lot of tolerence there do you ?At least we are allowed to question our western religious beliefs even make fun of them but the islamic world would not tolerate that I find that hard to understand .