This is Konya, one of the most conservative
and religious towns in western Turkey.
For many Turks, this town's a bit too orthodox,
but I'm looking for all sides of Turkey
and Konya is a fascinating stop.
This city of a million people
is one of the oldest in the world,
with known settlements dating back 8,000 years.
The city has an illustrious history.
Back in the first century, when Konya was called Iconium,
the apostle Paul visited several times,
and during its heyday in the 13th century,
Konya was the capital of the Muslim Seljuk empire.
Strolling the streets, you experience the contrasts
of the old and the new.
It's a university town with a fine park,
ideal for young couples enjoying
a little private time.
And wandering into its back streets,
much of the traditional side of Turkey survives
and the orthodoxy of Konya becomes more apparent.
For instance, nearly all women wear scarves.
The huge produce hall is busy with people
picking up locally grown fruits and vegetables.
In the hubbub of the crowded streets,
browsing can be endlessly entertaining.
Boys with trays of tea or chai scurry from shop to shop.
Remember, travelers have a richer experience
when they make a point to connect.
Drink some tea.
The barber shop is still a great way
to catch up on all the gossip.
The finale? Spanking with a flame,
leaving you smooth as you've ever been.
And poking into unusual shops,
you'll be surprised at what you may learn.
Turns out this place is a one-stop shop for shepherds.
[Cowbells clanging]
So, I'm a shepherd, sitting here in the elements.
Ah, this is my backpack.
I have to have a flute. Perfect.
Do you take credit cards?
[Lale interpreting]
Okay! It's a good deal.
Konya is the home of Mevlana,
also known as Rumi,
a 13th-century Muslim philosopher
who preached a message of love.
His tomb is the focus of many pilgrims
visiting from throughout Islam.
Under beautiful domes,
the tombs of Mevlana, his family,
and earliest followers are venerated.
Pondering the tomb of their great teacher,
pilgrims remember his message which focused on
connecting the powerful love of god with us on Earth.
Mevlana said, "I looked for god
in all the temples, mosques and churches,
and found him in my heart."
The adjacent museum explains Mevlana's teaching
with a display of significant writings,
books of poetry, and historic copies of the Koran.
Mevlana attempted to distill the message of Koran
into a pure and simple anthem of love.
His teaching was a mystical interpretation
of mainstream Islam,
and his followers, called "dervishes,"
have dedicated their lives
to living out that Mevlana, or Rumi, philosophy.
[Playing]
Mevlana's dervishes whirl themselves
into a meditative trance.
While raising one hand toward heaven,
the other toward Earth,
they symbolically plant one foot on the Koran,
the Muslim word of God,
while the other walks through all the world.
One hand rises up as if to accept the love of god.
The other goes palm down,
showering the love of our creator on all humanity.
As he whirls, the dervish transcends our material world,
becoming a conduit between the love of god
and his creation.
Wherever you travel in Turkey,
you'll find opportunities to witness
this mesmerizing form of prayer.
It's a good example of the many facets of Islam --
a powerful religion that perhaps we can
take the initiative to better understand.