"Turkey: the Dervish’s Islam
As I cross the threshold into the mosque, astonishment gets the better of rational explanation, logic and comparison. I am crossing a border between worlds whose separation is merely apparent. I breathe and immerse myself in a large, defined space, filled with solemn chanting. Soft carpets caress my bare feet, the melodic hum of ancient Arabic tickles my ears with its singsong delicacy. Someone is asleep on the floor, stretched out facing the walls which are covered in sky-blue majolica. The streets of the capital Istanbul are scorching; the mosque is the only refuge from the afternoon sun. Here there is no imagery: the word rules. The Qur’an is supreme over everything: its verses and symbols are stronger than any imagery. Here I see the serene, reflective face of Islam, which has no fear of showing itself in its potent simplicity. "
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