I am a Malaysian man and I went to Istanbul recently. During my stay in Istanbul, I happened to meet a Turkish man working at a musuem who, like most of the Turkish people, is very friendly and warm. He bought me tea and we had a very nice conversation. Before I left, he asked for my phone number.Recently, after I came back to Malaysia, he sent me a text via mobile phone in Turkish language which is translated to be "I love you" (seni seviyorum).I just wonder whether it is a common practice in Turkey that people says "I love u" to each other as an expression of friendship or he really meant what he said!???

hmmmmm - a tricky situation - possibly a little 'over-friendly' I would think

Depending on your sexual orientiation I would say either:-
(1) Run!
(2) You're in there

PS. You live in one of my favourite cities in the world

Why would a Turkish man say "I love you" to a foreign man? It is extremely uncommon.

Actually, he is the most handsome man who has ever said these words to me and yes, I like him very much... Indeed, I have been thinking of him day and night after returning to Malaysia and I just can't "get over it"...I have never been to a country which is so amazing and the people is so incredibly attractive and romantic...

Is it not possible that he was using sevmek to mean "like" rather than "love"?

Bod, I don't know what he actually meant... I guess I might have to visit Istanbul again and find out my self..