Turkey: Our people need Truthfulness, Benevolence and Forbearance.

On August 20th and 21st, Falun Gong practitioners in Turkey held activities in a square in a busy commercial area of Istanbul, raising awareness about Falun Gong and the persecution taking place in China.

The square where the activities were held is in the busiest and most crowded area in Istanbul. It is between two main commercial streets, busy all day with pedestrians are coming and going. Those people from all directions who were passing by could clearly see Falun Gong practitioners. People stopped, came forward, accepted leaflets and asked for exercises locations. In nearly three hours of activities, many people were still waiting at the square and feeling reluctant to leave. They were sitting on chairs around watching the exercises demonstration from the beginning to the end. And still many other people raised their cameras filming the scene.

A university student came over and told a Falun Gong practitioner, “At the beginning, I did not pay much attention to it, but I was touched the moment when you started demonstrating the exercises.” The practitioner told him what Falun Gong is and why Falun Gong practitioners are being tortured inhumanly in China. After hearing this, the student said that (the anti-persecution of Falun Gong) this was of so great value that he wanted to take this matter as a special topic in his paper. When leaving, he left his address and telephone number to the practitioner hoping to keep in touch.

A white haired, neatly dressed, elderly woman was, with concentration, watching the demonstration of the exercises not far from the square. Later, she told excitedly a practitioner who came to her “Falun Gong has made me feel the quietness and peacefulness I have never had before.“ She asked for the locations of exercises points repeatedly for fear that she might forget because of her old age.
During the process applying for the activity to the local authorities, practitioners had visited many departments. In Sicily local authority, practitioners were warmly received by many officials such as Mr. Mustafa Sarigul, head of Sicily, Mr. Aydin, deputy head of Sicily. After viewing pictures and brief introduction about Falun Gong, an official immediately telephoned a recreation room in the local area recommending this exercises which can improve people’s health, at the same time, he also told the practitioners: “Our people need Truthfulness, Benevolence and Forbearance.” After that, the official also invited the practitioners to join in a foundation laying ceremony for a new school, told them that they could distribute leaflets to those who came to participate in the ceremony, hoping children there and more people have an opportunity of learning Falun Gong. Finally, Mr. Aydin, deputy head, opened a Falun Gong banner and took a photo with the practitioners together expressing his support for Falun Gong.

During the two days, practitioners also brought many hand-made paper lotus flowers. These lotus flowers symbolize the noble spirit of Falun Gong practitioners living in the corrupted world without being contaminated, were well received by many people.