„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.