Tag Archives: Turkey

Kurdish Dengbej Storytellers Revive Tradition In Turkey

Jun 29th, 2013

Kurdish Dengbej Storytellers Revive Tradition In Turkey

In Turkey, Kurdish culture is having something of a Renaissance. Public expressions of Kurdish culture are now legal. Now a new cultural center has opened for traditional Kurdish story-tellers to practice their ancient art. Reporter Matthew Brunwasser sat in on a session.

Turkey’s Islamic Creationist TV Babes

Jun 15th, 2013

Turkey’s Islamic Creationist TV Babes

Turkey’s Islamic creationist guru Adnan Oktar is a regular fixture on his TV channel A9 – for hours and hours, day after day. Today, as he often does, Oktar is talking about one of his many exhibitions of fossils that he says disproves evolution. Oktar and his cult-like organization have been in the Turkish media space for decades. But only last year did he deploy his new weapon in the battle against Darwinism. A flock of ostensibly attractive, curvy young women.

In Turkey, President Obama in 55 Layers of Pastry

Jul 10th, 2012

In Turkey, President Obama in 55 Layers of Pastry

What is the size of a large cookie pan, made out of baklava, and looks like a lumpy version of the famous Hope portrait of Barack Obama? The “Baracklava”. The idea was cooked up in the Gulloglu baklava shop in Istanbul. In the shop’s six decades in business, only three other historical figures, all Turks, have been so honored. Owner Nadir Gullu says the portraits require enormous craftsmanship.

I am Woman, Hear Me Pray

May 21st, 2012

I am Woman, Hear Me Pray

ISTANBUL — There’s not a lot of female energy in the Directorate of the Istanbul Mufti. This large, blocky Ottoman-era building houses the state bureaucratic entity in charge of every aspect of Islam here, from hiring imams and writing their weekly sermons to paying their salaries and approving designs for new mosques.Much of what female energy there is comes from the small, tidy office of Kadriye Avci Erdemli, who three years ago became the first female deputy mufti of Istanbul and one of Turkey’s highest-ranking female religious officials.

Turkey Silences Syrian Refugees’ Stories

Aug 6th, 2011

Turkey Silences Syrian Refugees’ Stories

In the refugee camps along Turkey’s border with Syria, at least five babies born to Syrian women have been named Recep Tayyip,  in honor of the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. They are grateful to Turkey for opening its border to more than 15,000 refugees fleeing the violence next door. But at the same time, many refugees feel like prisoners in the refugee camps. While Turkey positions itself as a leading democracy in the Middle East, the refugees are not allowed to leave the camps — or talk to journalists. From the Yayladagi tent city, on the Turkish – Syrian border, Matthew Brunwasser reports.

Syrian Opposition Leads the Revolution DIY-style

Aug 6th, 2011

Syrian Opposition Leads the Revolution DIY-style

In Syria, the opposition to rule by President Bashir Al-Assad comes from a wide variety of groups, economically and socially. There are long time Syrian dissidents in exile, protestors inside Syria and refugees who have fled the current crackdown. Many of the groups met in Turkey last month and found it difficult to come together. One opposition group, made up of refugees who fled northern Syria, are working from a house in Antakya in southern Turkey. Matthew Brunwasser went to visit.

Turkey Plans Internet Filtering

May 22nd, 2011

Turkey Plans Internet Filtering

How would you like the government to filter your internet usage? Family style? Children style? Domestic style? Or would you prefer the standard package? Internet users in Turkey will soon have to make that choice.  Turkey often presents itself as the leading democracy in the middle east but free speech advocates say internet censorship there is among the heaviest in the world. And its about to get worse. As Matthew Brunwasser reports from Istanbul, protestors gathered across Turkey to express their opposition.

Turkish gays and the military

Jan 4th, 2011

Turkish gays and the military

Military service is mandatory in Turkey, and its policy on homosexuals serving in the military is quite different from the recently repealed US policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell”. Turkey’s armed forces consider gays ineligible to serve. From Istanbul, Matthew Brunwasser reports on Turkey’s policy of “will ask, must tell.”

Turkish immigrants leaving Germany

Nov 23rd, 2010

Turkish immigrants leaving Germany

Germany has one of Europe’s largest immigrant communities, with some 2.5 million Turks. Yet even third-generation immigrants, born and raised in Germany, are still considered foreigners. That’s prompted many Turks to leave Germany for a country they’ve never lived in. Matthew Brunwasser reports from Istanbul.

Muslim drummers silenced

Sep 14th, 2010

Muslim drummers silenced

In many Muslim towns and villages around the world, drummers march through the streets to wake up residents for a meal before sunrise. Matthew Brunwasser reports from a neighborhood in Turkey where the drummers are no longer welcome by all.

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