visit to turkey december 2012 presentation power point
DESCRIPTION
Turkish German seminar about "Culture and Religion"TRANSCRIPT
„Culture and religion“
a Turkish-German seminar in
Gemlik, Bursa and IstanbulFrom 29 November until 3 December
2012 seven students and two teachers
from the Adam-Josef-Cueppers-
Berufskolleg (vocational college) in
Ratingen travelled to our Turkish partner
school , the Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi in
Gemlik. This Comenius mobility was a
purely Turkish German meeting. The
meeting had a specific thematic focus:
culture and religion. We have chosen this
theme for our seminar, because we
believe that knowledge about the
importance of religion in a society is
decisive for mutual understanding.
The seminar has been prepared very carefully by our Turkish partners. The programme was very interesting. And an information brochure provided us with important background information.
At our partner school religion is taught as a major subject. The
school also has its own mosque. It is a new and very impressive
building. We visited it and Turkish students explained to us the
architecture. For example we learned the function and history of
the "minbar". This is a stairway, from which the Imâm holds the
Friday and holiday sermon. To do this he rises some levels on the
„minbar“ and gives his lecture standing. This practice goes back to
the Prophet, who stood on a Palm stump, so that he could be seen
during his speeches of all. From this, the „minbar“ has evolved at a
later time.
Moreover, at our partner school students also receive training to
become an Imâm .
For the workshop on the first day our Turkish hosts had
prepared a number of presentations about the Anadolu
İmam Hatip Lisesi, Gemlik, Bursa and with regard to our
main subject "Culture and Religion".
Afterwards, students and teachers discussed the role of
religion both in Germany and in Turkey, especially in
everyday life.
A very important aspect during the project
meeting was also to get to know each other.
For all German visitors, it was their first visit
to Turkey. But also almost all Turkish hosts
had never been in Germany. And the
“getting to know“ worked very well! There
wasn’t any fear of contact and practically
instantaneously the atmosphere became
very warm-hearted. Just because of that,
the project meeting was a full success right
from the beginning.
One of the highlights of our trip to Bursa was the Grand
Mosque. Together with a guide, we visited the mosque. He
explained to us what the believers do when they are in the
mosque, for example the importance of the washing
ceremony. Before Muslims enter the mosque, they wash
hands, face and feet. Therefore you will find a fountain or
sink in every mosque. The purpose of this ritual is to come
clean before God.
The next day in Istanbul, we had a huge sightseeing
programme: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace
and the museum of the history of science and technology
in Islam. The museum is unique in the world, because it
enables the visitor to see with his own eyes the evolution
of the different scientific branches in the Islamic
civilization. Again, a leader who accompanied us,
explained everything to us. Particularly interesting was the
history of the Hagia Sophia with its Byzantine past. Only at
dinner we had time to exchange ideas about our
impressions. We enjoyed this wonderful city a lot.
What did we learn during this project meeting?
Most of all the German guests were probably
impressed by the warm-hearted hospitality of
their Turkish hosts. Thank you so much for this!
As well, we have discussed and talked about
many things. And we have learned a lot from each
other. We shared a lot of marvellous experiences.
Finally, we have found friends.
No one who joined this wonderful meeting will
ever forget it in his life.