ISTANBUL:
At the time when Muslims were counted only in the tens, the Prophet Mohamed PBUH made a prediction: "Certainly the city of Constantinople will be conquered. What a great commander that will conquer it. And what better armed than his. "The enemies of the Prophet PBUH mocked the Muslims so that prediction seemed improbable. It took nearly eight hundred years before the prophecy is fulfilled.
A young man who was barely twenty years named Mohamed Al Fatih, set to conquer Constantinople. The fortress surrounding the city was deemed impassable and many Muslims had failed during these eight centuries. Mohamed Al Fatih was thus the excellent commander was talking about the Prophet PBUH and he conquered Constantinople through his genius and piety in 1453.
Almost six hundred years have passed since, Constantinople became Istanbul "the place that radiate Islam." I decide my turn to go to the conquest of Istanbul.
The time is not the same. I do not go on horseback but on board a Boeing 737 Turkish airline Pegasus. I am accompanied by my older brother. Together we leave for a week to explore this historic city. This is the first trip that we did together. On the plane, we meet Timur, a Kurdish man who lives in Paris but grew up in Istanbul. He tells us about his childhood, history, politics of his country. He offers to drop us on the boat that will take us to our hotel on the other side of the Bosphorus. It is almost midnight and we arrived on the shores of the Bosphorus. We are in Asia and saw the historic center located him on the European side. Istanbul offers the peculiarity of being built on two continents.
The view is beautiful. You can see the mosque Souleymane overlooking the city. The lighting is amazing. A little further to the left, the Saint Sophia Museum overlooks Hill Sultan Ahmet. In the background the Blue Mosque which lights up the sky with its six minarets. A little further down the Topkapi Palace which was the residence of the Ottoman sultan.
We cross the sea to arrive in the district of Besiktas football club very popular in Istanbul. Direction Aksaray district where our hotel is located. This is an area of specialized mainly in the textile traders. You can find everything at the lowest price. The restaurants are open all night. I'm dying to go see the Blue Mosque but fatigue takes over.
After a good night's sleep towards the district of Sultanahmet. Down the tram takes you directly into a small park. To your left the St. Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque right. The scenery is breathtaking as the two monuments are awesome. Happened inside the Blue Mosque, I realize that I have never set foot in such a beautiful mosque. Paints, ceramic tiles, carpet amaze me. All tourists entering the mosque but when the muezzin makes the call to prayer, only Muslims remain inside. I thank God for being in this place. The ranks are filled and we fulfill the Zuhr prayer.
It's a strange feeling, but when you are in Istanbul something special we feel. We feel that the place has a spiritual force. It's hard to explain in words. There are places on Earth where the soul feels a little calmer. Throughout the week, we will carry this spirituality. We are seeing all the prayers in the mosque.
We visit the various museums. In the history of science and technology in Islam, we can see the different inventions Muslims. The Topkapi Palace are exposed arms of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and some of his companions. There is also the stick of Moses who parted the sea in two. In the archaeological museum, there is the tomb of Alexander the Great. The panoramic museum traces the conquest of Constantinople with a unique 3D representation.
Hagia Sophia was a church and a mosque must be the only place in the world where the Christian and Muslim decorations mix. In the lobby of this former place of worship there is a notebook where you can write what you want. A young Colombian currently registered "Hagia Sophia proof that Christians and Muslims can live together." Many messages of peace and tolerance. Besides Istanbul is a city of peace and tolerance. She has 16 synagogues, more than a hundred churches. And every place of worship is maintained by the State under heritage.
The Turks understood the meaning of tolerance. In a group of friends you will find some girls with the veil and others who choose not to wear it. Everyone is free to have the belief he wants. The Turks are very open minded and very helpful. When the West, it will be understood that Muslims are committed to democracy, secularism, equality of men and women, freedom of worship ... we can finally live with them without making them responsible for the ills of society
When in Istanbul, beyond being the only city in the world to be built on two continents. She still hides many secrets and treasures. If you go for a walk, do not forget to visit the Galata Tower, to go shopping at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Take the time to cross the Bosphorus towards the Üsküdar district; up there on the hill you will find the mosque Sakirin fully designed and decorated by women. Come and discover the story of Abu Ayyub Al Ansari who was an exceptional man for whom a mosque called Sultan Ayyub is built. Do not hesitate to goinfrez Turkish pastries dripping with honey. Enjoy the Turkish pizza ovals. Stroll around Taksim and shopping. Enjoy Istanbul because this city is simply magical.
Besides, I recommend this city to a rather stressed man. A man who has since May lot of free time. A man who has divided France and dares to give lessons in democracy to others. Mr. Sarkozy, Istanbul will surprise you. I wish you happy holidays to you and your friends Brice, Claude François and Henri. Maybe this trip will allow you to open your eyes as it opened mine.
Istanbul thank you! See you soon ...
