WHY WOULD THE TURKS DEMONSTRATE FOR A PARK?

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WHY WOULD THE PEOPLE OF ISTANBUL, TURKEY

BE WILLING TO SUFFER THE BRUTAL CONSEQUENCES

OF DEMONSTRATING FOR THE ONLY PARK LEFT IN THEIR CITY AND ITS 600 TREES?

Nancy B. Detweiler, M.Ed., M.Div.

Let’s look to a neighboring country for insight—Iran. Turkey and Iran have shared close relations for many years.

http://isaburakgonca.blogspot.com/2011/02/turkey-iran-two-countries-with-very.html

“Iran is one of the world’s oldest civilizations and has been among the world’s most thoughtful and complex civilizations from the very beginning.  There are aspects of Iranian civilization that in one way or another, have touched almost every human being on the planet.”ⁱ

 IRAN = PERSIA

Iran is the political name – Persia is the cultural name.

Traditional Persian Outdoor Tea House

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/73022/photo1365.html

Teahouses are scattered throughout Iran.

PERSIAN GARDENS (OR PARKS)

Gardens are created as a symbol of paradise—a place for spiritual reflection.  Water is a vital part of the garden as it is a metaphor for looking into one’s Soul.  In the garden, an individual can meditate while feeling a sense of sacredness and tranquility.ⁱⁱ

Gardens play an important role in Iran, where much of the land is arid.  Moving water—as in a waterfall or fountain–adds humidity as well as creating the sounds that enhance a meditative state.

“No one can inspire humans with hope like Mother Nature and nowhere can she playfully display the greater extent of her will than in the garden of human mind….  Persian worldview and culture does not regard humans sans Nature. Islamic teachings consider Nature as a bed of signs that display the power of the creator of this world and therefore a source of meditation and wonder. A forerunner of world gardens, the Persian garden is a sanctuary where the creative forces of humans and Nature merge into another.  Building gardens is an ancient art in Iran which includes its very own traditions as a material and spiritual representation.” ⁱⁱⁱ

Persian Garden/Park in Iran

Architecture can be an important part of the Persian Garden.  Graceful arches play an important role.  Iranian architects use to build domes on square buildings.

http://www.slideshare.net/kitang007/persian-gardens

Garden of Eden Persian Garden

http://www.slideshare.net/kitang007/persian-gardens

GARDENS/PARKS ARE CREATED AS PLACES FOR SPIRITUAL REFLECTION

“By the … soul, and Him who perfected it and inspired it with conscience of what is wrong for it and right for it….  He is indeed successful who causes it to grow, and he is indeed a failure who stunts it.”   Islam. Qur’an 91.7-10

 “Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”  Christianity.  I Timothy 4:7-8

“The Holy One gives wisdom only to him who has wisdom.”  Judaism.  Talmud, Berakot 55a

THE PEOPLE OF TURKEY ARE DEMONSTRATING TO MAINTAIN THE ONE PARK/GARDEN LEFT IN ISTANBUL …

THEY DEMONSTRATE FOR

A PLACE OF SPIRITUAL REFLECTION & COMMUNION!

FOR THEM,

HUMANITY & NATURE ARE ONE!

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