Join the mailing list

Click here to read our privacy policy

 

Subscribe to emel's RSS Feed Subscribe to emel's RSS Feed

 

Uniting the World

Uniting the World

Issue 83 August 2011

I am writing this from the beautiful and magnificent city of Istanbul, sitting by the shores of the Bosphorus. The hills stand tall, dotted with red-tiled houses, which contrast with the rich greens of cypress, pine, and fruit trees. The skyline is punctuated with domes and minarets of ancient mosques that call out the adhaan, “God is Great, God is Great.” The Bosphorus glistens in the sunlight, running deep and powerfully through the city, and whilst this great waterway divides Istanbul into East and West, it also unites her with its beauty, fertility, and access to the world beyond.

Napoleon is reported to have described this ancient city thus, “If the whole world were a country, Istanbul would be its capital.” It is easy to understand why. Istanbul bridges two continents. The Bosphorus is their union, but this waterway is more than that. Six rivers flow into the Black Sea, which then funnels into the Bosphorus, which in turn flows into the Marmara Sea, and the Mediterranean beyond. In geography, but also in culture, Istanbul is a unique merger and a carrier, and as such, she stands as a metaphor for healing in our ever-fractious world.


To read more of this article, as well as gain access to exclusive videos, plus behind the scenes footage and more interactive content, log on to http://digital.emel.com to get your digital issue today.




Bookmark this

digg
Add to DIGG
delicious
Add to del.icio.us
StumbleUpon
Stumble this
facebook
Share on Facebook

Share this

email
Send to a Friend
Link to this

Printer Friendly

print
Print in plain text

Comments

1 Comment

1

Nasrelden

12 Sep 11, 06:25

Salaam upon you and GOD bless you,Every day i ,m found my self attracted to get a foreign friend from England but also need for a Muslim friend too, can you help me?

Positive Rating Negative Rating Report this!
0
0
 
 

Leave a comment

 

Sign in or Register to leave a comment