June 14th - Turkish Raindrop House

Mr. Fatih Ozcan spoke to us again today and told us more about his country and how Islam is incorporated into Turkish society. He discussed customs, politics, gender issues, and education. He fielded a number of questions from the audience, specifically discussing the issue of headscarves for women...surprising to many of us, women who wear headscarves are almost discriminated against for education, work, and political office. I think many of us thought the discrimination might have gone the other way. My favorite point from the class today was his discussion of what he called "religious gardens" which exist in Turkey. He showed photos of some of these gardens, which have a common entrance into a garden that then allows individuals to decide which house of worship they wish to attend...because the gardens may have a Jewish Temple, an Islamic Mosque, and a Christian Church adjacent to them. At lunch today we commented on how, in this country, we're not sure we could get three Protestant denominations to show that much tolerance.