TURKISH GREAT PERSONALITIES

MIMAR(ARCHITECT) SINANHe is an architect who grew up in

one of the most splendid periods of the Ottoman State, and who contributed to this era with his works.

Some works of Mimar Sinan; -The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne-The Sulemaniye Mosque-The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque

Mimar Sinan was a prolific artist, who reached higher standards with every work. His volume of work is mammoth, to say the least and legend has that he constructed:

84 mosques 57 universities 52 smaller mosques 41 bath-houses 35 palaces 22 mausoleums 20 inns 17 public kitchens 8 bridges 8 store houses 7 schools 6 aqueducts 3 hospitals

NASREDDIN HODJA• The people in Turkey are very familiar with the

jokes and stories of Nasreddin Hodja. Since their childhood, people have been hearing these jokes all along. They are part of the Turkish culture. The whole thing began with a man called Nasreddin Hodja who has lived in central Turkey, in the small town called Aksehir. The jokes were part of his daily life and they became accepted and welcomed by the public since his time.

IBN-I SINAThe great doctor, scholar and

philosopher of the eastern world during the middle Ages. For years, his works were used as text books at western universities. He was a true pathfinder not only in medicine but also in mathematics and physics.

MEHMET AKIF ERSOY A great Turkish - Islamic poet, he has

also written the lyrics of our national anthem.

Akif practically screams with his poetry where he displays a striking strong voice which kindles nationalistic feelings.

PIRI REISFamous Turkish sailor and the first

Turkish marine cartographer. Piri Reis was both a great sea commander who was heroic and smart in battle and one of the most important cartographers and sailor writers of his time.

MEVLANA(RUMI)Come!

Come whoever you are. Doesn`t matter if you are an unbeliever. Doesn`t matter if you have fallen a thousand times. Come! Come whoever you are. For this is not the door of hopelessness. Come, Just as you are!

Rumi`s vibrant call of love still resonates. It touches the universe with the same fervor as it did seven hundred years ago. Passionate and spiritual, theologian and mystic, Rumi sought God everywhere and in everybody. He has become one in his verses.

Tarkan, is a World Music award winning Turkish pop singer

He is also known as Dr. Oz, is an American/Turkish (dual citizenship) cardiothoracic surgeon, author, and television personality.