Syria - Salahuddin Ayyubi

Damascus, the capital of Republic of Syria.

It was a frosty morning. 

I started my journey that day. 

It was a perfect day. 

The sun had splashed pink clouds 

across the horizon and rivers of 

silver light ran through the streets.

It was among the days 

I spent in Syria. 

Yes, I haven't told you a thing 

about spending time in Syria yet, 

you must be very confused.

No. You don't have to.

Topkapi Sarayi

Assalamualaikum! 

How do you do?

OK. Things are getting dull here, I supposed.

So, let's get some fresh air...let's go travelling!

Oh, C'mon! Just for a few minutes! Don't worry about the ticket..this time, MY treat!

Istanbul, tamam?

Sen guzelsin!!!

When I was in Turkey, I visited Topkapi Palace. It was a majestic building...with an impressive entrance gate, named as Gate of Salutation. I was like, "WOW! This is so great!" That I was so EAGER to walk inside.

Labbaikallah

"If you reach that place again, will you walk through the path we used to walk together, again?" Mama asked with trembling voice.

The request was answered by an invisible smile.

There was a silence. A meaningful silence. As if we were drifted back  to those days...days full of unforgettable memories. Days we went through in Mecca and Medina. 

That was my first Umrah trip, about 6 years ago, in 2004. It was in month of May. The weather was hot and dry. Days were sunny, while nights were soothing. A fortnight of comfort, lull and purity!

Turkiye: Part Two

Day 4:

We reached Konya that morning after 8 hours of bus journey. We checked-in a hotel in town and continue our discoveries in Turkey. First we went to Alaeddin Keykubad Camii. Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad was the ruler of Seljuk Imperial. According to the history, during the conquer of Constsntinople, Bursa (Sultan Mehmet 2) was helped by near by Islam rulers, including Seljuk. Seljuk rulers originated from the Iranians and the Afghans, was founded during 1220. So, the mosque we visited combined the architecture of Iran and Afghanistan. Next to the mosque, was the remaining of Seljuk Palace and in front of it was the Alaeddin Hill Park. The scenery were fantastic from every angle of the hill. Then we visited Sarafeddin Camii, Semsi Terbizi Camii ve Turbesi, Iplikci Camii, Karatay Muzesi, Mevlana Muzesi and Selimiye Camii. In addition we were told that people in Turkey especially those in Konya honoured Mevlana Jalaluddin ar-Rumi. Mevlana was the person who taught them about Islam and Semsi Terbizi was Mevlana's teacher.

Turkiye: Part One

Marhaba! I've just came back from out on the town. My 5 friends and I went to Turkey with the help of Ust. Hazimin from HZ Tours. A splendid place, I recommended for you! It was a week of memorable trip. Well, to write everything (which is impossible for me) I'd rather put our trip on summary. And before I go any further, this post is also dedicated to my Turkish friend, Selime Coskun who teaches me Turkish words and phrases that helped me a lot during my trip in Turkey. Ben tesekkur ederim, dostum!

Day 1: