Anyone who gives speeches knows the secret of a good speech is to make it easy for people to like you. The problem is, though, that then everyone will want to be your friend.Although I like to visit the elderly, I always feel sad afterward, as they are at an age when some are utterly friendless. Many have been alive long enough that their friends have, as we say in English, died off. Now, they may have regular visits from a niece, daughter or other relative, but in some cases, when the family relations are not close, they can have infrequent or no visitors.
Perhaps you have heard the expression, “He died friendless and penniless.” With the economic crisis on these days, many are doing just that. And especially back home in the US, where people can't afford health care and the health care industry has done all it can to put unwell people in a situation to have to rob Peter to pay Paul.
Friendships, health and peace of mind are so important to most of us.
I was raised in a Christian home and have fasted at times. Both the Muslim and Christian fasts are expressions of personal faith and a spiritual journey. The Muslim fast differs some from the Christian one. Before I say anything more, I want to clarify that I know that the discussion of religion is a good way to drop friends, but I hope that is not the case this time… I am going to take a risk here and share a little about the differences and significances.
The most prominent event of this month for Muslims is fasting. Daily, Muslims around the world will eat just before dawn (suhoor) and then perform their prayer. They will not eat or drink before the call to prayer for the fourth prayer of the day.
Ramadan is a time of reflecting and worshipping God. The fast is supposed to be an expression of deep personal devotion and worship to God and create increased awareness of those who have less -- the poor, or we could say, the penniless.
Every year someone asks me if I ever fast. Since I was asked, I usually find myself explaining my concept of fasting by saying: Prophet Muhammad required Muslims to fast between the first and fourth prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, whereas my faith taught me that fasting was voluntary. Jesus rarely mentioned fasting, with the exception of a few references in the New Testament. The biblical roots and principles of fasting are found in the example of Jesus as our model, who began his earthly ministry with a 40-day fast to prepare him for his ministry. However, Jesus did not make fasting mandatory for all Christians.
The idea of fasting for a Christian is to abstain from something dear to the person for a period of time, in order to seek answers to prayers, healing for one's own self as well as for the healing of family and friends, hearing from God, direction, guidance and more. Fasting can be done at any time for any length of time and is very private and personal.
I recently revisited the old highway that links İstanbul and the modern city of Edirne, the old Ottoman capital for almost a century before the conquest of Constantinople. Jane Taylor, author of “Imperial Istanbul,” says that Homer called this area of Turkey “rich-soiled Thrace, the mother of sheep” and referred to the inhabitants as “horse-breeding Thracians.” I could imagine how for centuries Thrace has had the richness of mainly agricultural landscape as well as warlike preoccupations.
In Lüleburgaz, you can visit the Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Mosque complex, one of Sinan's complexes built in 1549 in a lovely pale gold limestone.
My favorite place on our day trip to visit castle ruins and historic mosques was Vize, an ancient Byzantine city. We came across the small church that was built during the eighth or ninth century, known as Little Hagia Sophia. It has been restored and is in use as a mosque today. Arriving just before the noon prayers, we watched the devout worshippers enter to perform their prayers.
“Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.” -- Poet Sam Foss
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
