Turkey
Istanbul
Three days before the end of my most recent trip to Istanbul, on the 26th of Ramadan 1443 AH (according to the Islam calendar of Hijri). While heading down from Sultanahmet, and towards the bay area, something peculiar caught my attention. A faint prayer echoing in the distance. One might say it is nothing unusual here - where Hagia Sophia, and a dozen of other mosques are right around the corner. But the sound didn’t seem to be coming from any of those places. The voice was coming from afar, from the other side of Bosporus strait. And there was something different about it (…).
Fener
Venturing into the unknown can be an intimidating experience, and It's only a natural instinct to associate the unfamiliar with potential danger—a protective mechanism that evolution has finely honed over time to ensure our safety, and it’s been doing an amazing job so far getting us where we are today. However as any other mechanism, it’s not without a flaw (…).
Never-ending Journey
This time, my journey took on an unexpected depth thanks to someone who, at first glance, might have seemed like an unlikely companion. Familiar, as if we had known each other for ages, yet different in almost every aspect of our lives—somehow, our paths intertwined in ways few would expect. For two weeks, I saw the world through the eyes of a woman who had the courage to share with me the most profound aspects of her reality—an experience that continues to resonate within me long after the journey ended.
Arap Mosque
"You should not translate the Quran. Translations into other languages are the work of humans and, therefore, no longer carry the uniquely sacred character of the Arabic original," I’ve heard in response.
This idea—perhaps strange to some—extends beyond the Quran. Anyone familiar with the Bible, or any text where meaning hinges on precision, knows how a single mistranslated word can be the difference between deep philosophical truth and a complete gibberish.
Istiklal
Istiklal is a place that offers a perfect peak into many of the modern Turkish traditions and some of the country’s most iconic treats. Here, you can taste everything from sizzling kebabs to world-famous baklava, sample street foods like kokoreç and wet burgers, or stop by one of countless century-old lokantas and cafés serving Turkish delights and çay. And of course, don’t forget to pick up a souvenir or two while you’re there.
But what surprised me most isn’t what’s loud and lit up on display—it’s what’s hidden (…).
Art of Noticing
High above Üsküdar dominating the Çamlıca Hill, stands Çamlıca Camii, the largest mosque in Turkey.
Blending elements of classical Ottoman architecture with sleek modern design, it symbolizes a bridge between tradition and innovation—much like the nearby Bosphorus Bridge linking two continents.
The mosque draws inspiration from the masterpieces of Mimar Sinan, echoing the grandeur of the Süleymaniye and Blue Mosque with its impressive central dome, half-domes, and towering minarets, simultaneously incorporating more contemporary spatial planning solutions.
Antalya
Someone once said: “Everyone has two lives, and the second one begins the moment you realize you only have one.”
Lately, I’ve been embracing that truth more than ever. I’ve stopped postponing things and wasting time on aimless pursuits. Instead, I’m focusing on what I truly want from life. I’m done riding in the backseat of my own destiny, letting other people and circumstances to steer its direction.
Seaside
The sea is always a necessary stop on every one of my journeys — especially in moments of inner struggle.
There’s something about it that always calms me. Just the sight of the water slows my breath. Its white noise helps me focus, to piece things together in my mind. The steady rhythm of the waves offers a kind of reassurance — a quiet defiance against the chaos of the world of man.
The scent of the sea brings memories of home, and echoes the solitude of my travel. I’ve stood on so many different shores, in so many different situations — each seemingly random, yet strangely connected. Just like the seas themselves are all connected together (…).
Going Home
Visiting new place is always an exciting experience. But sooner or later, the time comes to leave — and I often find myself wondering: Was this my only time here? Will I ever return? Or was this the last time I laid eyes on this place?
This thought crosses my mind even in places I feel deeply connected to, ones I fully intend to come back to — not someday, but soon. Yet still, I can’t help but wonder… what if I never return?
What if I never drink that coffee I planned to have, never do the things I left for next time, never finish that conversation I thought I’d return to (…)?