Comments on: Turkey is Typing….the Weekly Favorites http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/28/turkey-is-typingthe-weekly-favorites/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Mon, 28 May 2012 10:58:43 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Bea http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/28/turkey-is-typingthe-weekly-favorites/comment-page-1/#comment-950636 Bea Fri, 06 Apr 2007 07:01:13 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/28/turkey-is-typingthe-weekly-favorites/#comment-950636 Osman, there are still many restrictions on religious activities in Turkey, but at the same time, the postal system stinks and routinely people do not get monthly bills or letters. While I don't know if it will have any effect at all, you might write a letter campaign to the Postmaster or even the Prime Minister. I write and visit offices to complain about a myriad of problems with local services, but I've never received a decent answer if any at all. Everything is slow and few wish to do anything about it, as you can read on my blog. Osman, there are still many restrictions on religious activities in Turkey, but at the same time, the postal system stinks and routinely people do not get monthly bills or letters. While I don’t know if it will have any effect at all, you might write a letter campaign to the Postmaster or even the Prime Minister. I write and visit offices to complain about a myriad of problems with local services, but I’ve never received a decent answer if any at all. Everything is slow and few wish to do anything about it, as you can read on my blog.

]]> By: Osman http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/28/turkey-is-typingthe-weekly-favorites/comment-page-1/#comment-923034 Osman Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:06:48 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/28/turkey-is-typingthe-weekly-favorites/#comment-923034 The current Turkish government apparently does not believe in full religious freedom for non-Muslims. I and other friends send letters from the US to Turkish homes and businesses offering a free Turkish New Testament to anyone who wishes to receive one. Because over half of the New Testament was written to areas of Anatolia, I think this would be of interest to many, including devout Muslims. Also, we find thatdevout Muslims with an acquaintance with the New Testament are generally much more tolerant of the beliefs of others. In recent months, it has become apparent that Turkish postal authorities are intercepting and returning many of the letters we send. We know this, because we have done test mailings to complete addresses of Turkish friends we know, only to have the letters returned as undeliverable. Some years ago, another government with ties to conservative Muslims sent a secret memo to all postmasters telling them to intercept such letters. We know this as a fact, because one of our friends still has a copy of the secret directive. We think the same is the case under the present government of Turkey. I wonder if persons who read this might have suggestions as to how we can get the current government of Turkey to stop intercepting our letters. Thank you. Osman (I'm American, but Turkish friends have given me this nickname). The current Turkish government apparently does not believe in full religious freedom for non-Muslims. I and other friends send letters from the US to Turkish homes and businesses offering a free Turkish New Testament to anyone who wishes to receive one. Because over half of the New Testament was written to areas of Anatolia, I think this would be of interest to many, including devout Muslims. Also, we find thatdevout Muslims with an acquaintance with the New Testament are generally much more tolerant of the beliefs of others.

In recent months, it has become apparent that Turkish postal authorities are intercepting and returning many of the letters we send. We know this, because we have done test mailings to complete addresses of Turkish friends we know, only to have the letters returned as undeliverable.

Some years ago, another government with ties to conservative Muslims sent a secret memo to all postmasters telling them to intercept such letters. We know this as a fact, because one of our friends still has a copy of the secret directive. We think the same is the case under the present government of Turkey.

I wonder if persons who read this might have suggestions as to how we can get the current government of Turkey to stop intercepting our letters.

Thank you.

Osman (I’m American, but Turkish friends have given me this nickname).

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