Joe and Sue Ritacco spent ten days in Turkey in June/July 2009, a trip organized by the Interfaith Dialog Center (www.idcnj.org). Joe recently delivered a presentation on their experience that they called An Interfaith Journey to Turkey: A Journey of Hope.They spent most of their time in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city (about 15M population). They also visited Izmir (ancient Smyrna), Selyuk, and Ephesus; Antakya (ancient Antioch) on the Mediterranean Sea; Konya and Cappadocia in central Turkey, and a day trip by ferry across the Sea of Marmara, from Istanbul to Bursa.
The interfaith experience in Turkey is much different than in the US. The Turkish Republic controls religion in its officially secular country through a Ministry of Religion. Muslim religious leaders are hired, paid, and fired by the state. In the US, a division of church and state keeps the two aspects of society separate.
There have been long periods of peaceful coexistence between Muslims, Jews, and Christians throughout the Middle East and Asia, yet history tends to mark time by conflicts and media focuses on brewing tensions to sell its news. The pattern results in a broad feeling of hopelessness. Zachary Karabell’s book Peace Be Upon You suggests that motives related to the pursuit of power and wealth are more likely causes for conflict than religious diversity. We should celebrate diversity and not abandon hopes for peace.
Turkey’s geopolitical situation puts it in the perfect position to serve as a bridge to peace between the West and the Middle East. Turkey already plays a pivotal role in peacemaking with Israel, and its relations with Syria and Iran make it a natural arbiter between the US and20those countries.
Joe recommends a trip to Turkey as one of the more interesting, yet manageable and affordable places to visit. He hopes to deliver his Journey of Hope presentation to other audiences in coming months.
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