A Modern Islam

9/20/2002 The elections are coming in two months. The leftists include two Jews whose-families converted to Islam in the 1920’s, Al Gore types, western-oriented and… Read More »Erdogan

Last night, we went to temple Neve Shalom on the European side of Istanbul so our Israeli friends could check out the Yom Kippur evening… Read More »Yom Kippur in Istanbul

Elif met me one day near Mesut’s bread factory in Fatih, and we went to the Sultan’s grave at the Suleymanie Mosquegot, where we got… Read More »Fighting at the Sultan’s grave

Today, Elif cut tinsel for our friend Jeff at Telli Baba’s grave. The “Telli Baba” tomb is set on the very edge of the water,… Read More »A unique brand of Islam

I am teaching English to the esteemed Mesut Pektas, the head of the Istanbul People’s Bread Factory. He’s also under indictment for taking bribes and… Read More »Teaching Mesut Pektas

9/12/98 I cannot get over how kind the Turkish people are. At first, when they encounter an American in their presence, they’re surprised I’m not… Read More »Facing an Ottoman heritage

It’s the end of Ramazan. Cos didn’t fast this year because his kidney was removed, and since fasting wouldn’t be good for him, he gets… Read More »Eid ul-Adha