3 Religion 3 Symbols
On Tuesday, February 25th, the Turkish-Social Department organized a trip for 7th grade students to get to know the religious, historical and cultural heritage of Istanbul Three important places were visited in order to reinforce interfaith tolerance and historical awareness of the city where different faiths and cultures live together: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Istanbul, Neve Shalom Synagogue and Suleymaniye Mosque. The first stop of the trip was the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Istanbul. In this place, which has a great importance for the Orthodox world, we were informed about the historical development of the patriarchate and its meaning for Christianity. Afterwards, the students visited the Aya Yorgi Church in the Patriarchate. The next stop was the Neve Shalom Synagogue. In this synagogue, which is one of the most important places of worship for the Jewish community in Istanbul, information was given about the understanding of worship in Judaism, the history of Neve Shalom Synagogue and its place in social life. By examining the architectural structure of the synagogue and the Jewish symbols inside, important gains were made about Jewish culture and belief system. Then the museum on the upper floor of the synagogue was visited. The last stop of the trip was the Süleymaniye Mosque. In this mosque, which is considered one of the most important works of Ottoman architecture, the genius of Mimar Sinan and the aesthetic and worship understanding of Islam were closely observed. The guide provided information about the history, architectural features and religious significance of this building, which was built by Suleiman the Magnificent and described by Mimar Sinan as “my journeyman work”. Thanks to this trip, students gained a deeper understanding of different beliefs and cultures and were offered an important opportunity to explore the rich history of Istanbul. The importance of tolerance and respect in this city where different faith groups live in peace was emphasized once again.
