It is hard for people to believe in what they have never heard of. Where I am in the SF Bay Area, many people have adopted Budhist practices, although they may have come from Christian or Jewish backgrounds.

I must say I cherish our secular society, where one is exposed to, and can explore many different paths.

Actually the Abrahamic faiths are very similar.

Barba.....

The Quran was memorized by hundreds (at least) and recited according to a very strict system. After the passing of Mohammed, (saw) all those who had committed it to memory were called together to compare exactly how it was pronounced. Today when one sees the written Quran you will see many marks around the letters. Those marks are a guide to exactly how to pronounce the words.

There are different styles of writing Arabic, like Kufic, Naskh and others, perhaps this is what you are referring to?

It´s not up to us to convince you. However your constant derision of others is trying 

Have you seen the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations here? It´s international.

Sad, it saddens my heart when we scar Mother Earth, for what? So much is lost.

You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers.  So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin.  Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother.  Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.  If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.  ~Native American Wisdom

Wow, I wonder if that means anything goes now? I don´t come as often as I used to, but I do pass by at least once a week. If there is something interestng, to me, I may stay longer and post on it.

This is an interesting question. Actually there are several stages of thought. There is the flash thought, then the words thoughts. IOW we get the concept, but after that it is translated into words.

A interesting book on that is Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. While I don´t agree 100% with Mr. Gladwell, I have noticed thoughts are minus language. When we internally verbalize our thoughts it helps stabilize and give form and possible to transmit our thoughts

Yes, Yilgun, I do hope you are not leaving us. Your cheerful posts will be missed. 

Hmmm.....interesting indeed. I find it interesting Mr. Nagi is being catagorized as a "Salafi Muslim and of Palestinian descent". Salafism seems to have a self destruct built in, as it´s so joyless not many can stand it for long. I can´t see many Turks supporting such a thing. After all, Turks being from the home of Yunus Emre and Rumi have a much more pragmatic and gentle interpretation of Islam.

As long as there is no force, if people want to take the Qurans, let them. I wonder what translation is being given away? Maybe there is more to this story?

I found this beautiful one on Youtube.

Yalan Dünya

I would love to hear and learn more.

I love his works...the following is an English translation. I don´t have the original Turkish version. It would be wonderful if we had some original Turkish, and translations.

Translations are very difficult, as a great knowledge of both languages is needed. Also, every language does not have the same words. At times it takes many words to express what can be done with one simple word in another language.

This is one of my favorites

A single word can brighten the face
of one who knows the value of words.
Ripened in silence, a single word
acquires a great energy for work.

War is cut short by a word,
and a word heals the wounds,
and there´s a word that changes
poison into butter and honey.

Let a word mature inside yourself.
Withhold the unripened thought.
Come and understand the kind of word
that reduces money and riches to dust.

Know when to speak a word
and when not to speak at all.
A single word turns the universe of hell
into eight paradises.

Follow the Way. Don´t be fooled
by what you already know. Be watchful.
Reflect before you speak.
A foolish mouth can brand your soul.

Yunus, say one last thing
about the power of words --
Only the word "I"
divides me from God.

Yunus Emre