I spent last month travelling through Turkey. The trip was really fine, except for one glitch in Istanbul that still puzzles me. It happened at a great small mosque, Rustem Pasa Camii. It's a mosque built by Sinan, with fabulous Iznik-tiled walls. Duly impressed, I sat on the floor, took out my notebook, and began to sketch with a pen. An old caretaker came to me right away and gave a long lecture in Turkish. First I thought it was because non-Muslims are prohibited from sitting on the mosque floor, so I stood up. But that was not it, as the lecture continued. Soon, through hand gestures, it seemed to me that it was the sketching that was not allowed. Although I understood none of it, the lecture became quite loud so I fled. Can anyone help explain to me what's going on there? <BR> <BR>Oh, a few notes here: I was dressing properly, in shirt and trousers; it was not a prayer time; there were several other tourists in the mosque; and photographing, flash or no flash, was obviously allowed.

anyone? <BR>

Pira: <BR>I have supported my family as a graphic designer for 40 years. I have traveled all over the world and have been kicked out of some dandy places. But I've learned that if I show my sketch book or drawing pad first and tell or show that I love the place and think it is fabulous, I can get into just about any place. I drew inthe Omayed Moske in Damascus, so I know it isn't a prohibition thing. Sometime you cannot reason, but most of the time I have run into folks who were flattered that I wanted to take the time to stop and look. He may have gotten upset if you were including human figures in your drawing. Representing the human figure is against the Koran as some interpret it. Keep drawing. Don;t stop. Go out one door and in another and show that sketchbook to someon who looks official. You will be rewarded. <BR>Good Luck <BR> <BR>Lee Kline

Lee: Thanks for your note. The thing about that mosque was that it was very small, and only one door was open for visitors. I actually went back to the mosque twice, hoping that there'd be other mosque-keeper in charge, but the same guy was there. <BR>The thing was that I was able to sketch other places in Turkey that seemed even more holier, including the Ulu Camii in Bursa, or Eyup in Istanbul. I find sketching a great way to learn about the buildings, and usually a good way to connect to the locals as well. I heard something about the Islamic thing against representation of human forms too, so I focused on the architecture instead. First I was not even sure if it's okay to draw the religious objects, like those beautiful calligraphy of Allah's names. As it turned out, there was no problem at all, except in this particular mosque. So I'm still puzzled, but anyway.

yes pira you screwed up without knowing it. you sat on the floor of the mosque. if you did this on the rug remember that the people as they pray touch their forehead to the rug several times. by sitting on the rug you inadvertently put your ass where their face also goes. obviously this is taken as a sign of disrespect NS NOT HAVING THE CPOURTESY TO KNOW BEFORE HAND WHAT THE RULES ARE THAT GOVERN A PLACE OF WORSHIP in a foreign country. its an easy trap to fall into but i bet you will not make that mistake again

I've been taken to tour a mosque with a small group where even the guide sat on the floor with us while she lectured. Come to think of it, many tour groups were sitted on the floor at that time.