By Senem Tongar
Christmas means holiday, reunion with friends and family members, Santa Claus, Christmas tree and bunch of presents under the tree. But did you ever wonder why do we put a tree in our houses and decorate it? Why do we put presents under the tree? To find out the answers and more about Christmas tree tradition, check out this article!
I live in Istanbul which is known for its marvelous mosques. I can name many but these are the first ones that come into my mind; Süleymaniye, Rüstem Paşa, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Ahmet, Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, Büyük Mecidiye (Ortaköy), Şakirin and Sokullu Mehmet Paşa. Architecturally and artistically considered, each one of these mosques by itself is one of a kind. I have been seeing and visiting these great structures for all my life. I sometimes like to sit in a mosque, watch the prayers, listen to Azan (call to prayer), scan the artworks there and think.