We can't show you his face
and we can't tell you his name,
00:00:01.40\00:00:03.76
But wait till
you hear his story.
00:00:03.76\00:00:06.70
Modern day istanbul
was most likely settled
00:01:15.03\00:01:17.96
Shortly after noah's flood.
00:01:17.96\00:01:20.26
Settlements have been discovered
00:01:20.26\00:01:21.80
Dating back
before the phoenicians.
00:01:21.80\00:01:25.06
Many will know the first name
of the settlement as byzantine,
00:01:25.06\00:01:28.40
Name for king byzas in 667 b.C.
00:01:28.40\00:01:32.36
Until it was renamed
the city of constantine
00:01:32.36\00:01:34.83
Or constantinople in 330 a.D.
00:01:34.83\00:01:40.03
During the reign
of justinian i in 527,
00:01:40.03\00:01:43.26
The population
grew to over 500,000.
00:01:43.26\00:01:47.06
From that point the
population began to decline
00:01:47.06\00:01:49.80
Over the next 900 years to low
of approximately 36,000 in 1453.
00:01:49.80\00:01:57.06
Today istanbul is a city of
more than 12 million people.
00:01:57.06\00:02:01.50
Historically the city has
been one of the world's largest
00:02:01.50\00:02:04.26
And most important cities
during much of its history.
00:02:04.26\00:02:08.73
I'm standing here in the
middle of the hippodrome.
00:02:13.23\00:02:16.10
The hippodrome in the
middle of istanbul, turkey,
00:02:16.10\00:02:19.66
One of the oldest cities
i'm told of all the world
00:02:19.66\00:02:22.63
Over 5,000 years old they say.
00:02:22.63\00:02:26.03
Right here is an obelisk
that was brought all the way
00:02:26.03\00:02:28.40
From egypt from luxor actually.
00:02:28.40\00:02:31.00
How they got it here, i
don't know because they say
00:02:31.00\00:02:32.96
It was three times
the size it is now.
00:02:32.96\00:02:36.53
Right around me is where
they had the chariot races.
00:02:36.53\00:02:39.53
Constantine's
palace was right here,
00:02:39.53\00:02:41.53
Perhaps he watched the
chariot races in flock,
00:02:41.53\00:02:44.13
Makes me think of ben-Hur.
00:02:44.13\00:02:45.96
What a
phenomenal city of history.
00:02:45.96\00:02:48.60
The obelisk is placed on a base
00:02:54.33\00:02:56.26
That depicts
actually theodosius.
00:02:56.26\00:02:58.63
Theodosius was
the ruler at the time
00:02:58.63\00:03:00.33
And he is
holding the laurel wreath
00:03:00.33\00:03:02.10
And he is ready
to crown the riders.
00:03:02.10\00:03:04.03
Now the riders are down
here at the chariot races.
00:03:04.03\00:03:06.93
And hopefully we'll be
able to get a good look here
00:03:06.93\00:03:09.40
At what the riders, i
mean everyone of them,
00:03:09.40\00:03:11.46
They are awful lot in the race.
00:03:11.46\00:03:14.03
This country is
so full of history
00:03:14.03\00:03:16.23
And so full of
excitement, it's amazing.
00:03:16.23\00:03:19.90
I'm here today with
a very special guest.
00:03:25.20\00:03:27.40
Unfortunately we can't
reveal his real name to you
00:03:27.40\00:03:30.36
And we can't tell the
exact location where we are,
00:03:30.36\00:03:34.06
Although people will be able
to figure that out very soon.
00:03:34.06\00:03:37.70
And you can't see his face
because of security reasons,
00:03:37.70\00:03:40.90
Because of issues
he is going to share.
00:03:40.90\00:03:43.50
Hakan, thank you for
being with us today. Thank you.
00:03:43.50\00:03:47.60
Hakan, we can't
show your face today,
00:03:47.60\00:03:50.90
Why, why is that?
What's your story?
00:03:50.90\00:03:54.73
Well, because of the
security problems in my country.
00:03:54.73\00:03:59.03
It's not safe to
show my face to people,
00:03:59.03\00:04:01.93
Because it will be easy for them
00:04:01.93\00:04:04.30
To figure out
who this person is.
00:04:04.30\00:04:07.10
Because you
actually have a story
00:04:07.10\00:04:09.16
About being a
muslim in islam religion
00:04:09.16\00:04:13.10
And you are no longer a muslim.
00:04:13.10\00:04:17.53
Yes, i am no longer a muslim.
00:04:17.53\00:04:19.63
Let me tell you my
testimony if you want. Please.
00:04:22.70\00:04:26.70
When i was a child i
grew up in a muslim family.
00:04:26.70\00:04:33.20
And my parents
were strong muslims,
00:04:33.20\00:04:36.30
Though they were not fanatical.
00:04:36.30\00:04:38.86
My father used to push
me to go to the mosque.
00:04:38.86\00:04:42.30
And i used to listen to
the sermon at the mosque,
00:04:42.30\00:04:45.96
Given by the imam.
00:04:45.96\00:04:48.90
And those sermons
didn't make any sense to me.
00:04:48.90\00:04:52.60
Because the imam used to tell us
that even if we are good people
00:04:52.60\00:04:59.53
All along our lives
that was no guarantee
00:04:59.53\00:05:02.76
That we would be saved in a way.
00:05:02.76\00:05:06.63
And our salvation only
depended on god's last decision.
00:05:06.63\00:05:11.86
So in my childish mind
00:05:11.86\00:05:16.23
That seemed to be a
contradiction to me.
00:05:16.23\00:05:20.26
And i started to keep
away from religion for awhile.
00:05:20.26\00:05:25.73
And then years passed by,
00:05:25.73\00:05:28.86
But still i had this
hunger in my heart to follow...
00:05:28.86\00:05:32.40
To find the truth.
00:05:32.40\00:05:35.33
And i started
to work in tourism.
00:05:35.33\00:05:42.70
And one day we had a
family from a country in europe.
00:05:42.70\00:05:50.36
And we made friends with them,
00:05:50.36\00:05:54.26
Because they were so
polite, they were so friendly.
00:05:54.26\00:05:58.50
And i made friends
with some of the family too.
00:05:58.50\00:06:04.33
Then i noticed something
00:06:04.33\00:06:06.86
Which was very
different in his character.
00:06:06.86\00:06:09.76
He was willing to listen to me.
00:06:09.76\00:06:12.80
That was something
very important to me,
00:06:12.80\00:06:15.40
Because even my own parents,
00:06:15.40\00:06:17.70
They were not
willing to listen to me
00:06:17.70\00:06:19.10
When i tried to
ask them questions,
00:06:19.10\00:06:22.86
Especially about my religion.
00:06:22.86\00:06:25.80
Maybe they were thinking
that in my childish mind
00:06:25.80\00:06:30.00
I was not intelligent enough
00:06:30.00\00:06:36.63
To grasp the truth or i
was not able to understand
00:06:36.63\00:06:41.16
What they were
going to explain to me.
00:06:41.16\00:06:44.26
But this guy
was listening to me.
00:06:44.26\00:06:46.13
And one day i tried to
ask about his religion,
00:06:46.13\00:06:54.40
But i was hesitant to ask it.
00:06:56.10\00:07:00.10
I tried to find out the
source of his humbleness.
00:07:00.10\00:07:05.03
And then he told me
that he was a christian,
00:07:05.03\00:07:10.16
But he was adventist.
00:07:10.16\00:07:13.40
Well i was surprised to hear
two things at the same time.
00:07:13.40\00:07:18.96
Because until that time
i didn't hear of anything
00:07:18.96\00:07:23.43
Called adventism
and i heard only--
00:07:23.43\00:07:27.16
I heard of only
christianity until then.
00:07:27.16\00:07:31.70
And plus when i was
working at the hotel,
00:07:31.70\00:07:37.00
We had some visitors
from european countries.
00:07:37.00\00:07:43.70
And whenever i tried
to ask a question to them
00:07:43.70\00:07:46.23
About their
religion and they told me
00:07:46.23\00:07:49.16
That well "are you muslim?"
00:07:49.16\00:07:53.43
I told them yes, yes i am.
00:07:53.43\00:07:55.83
And they asked me, "so why
are you asking these questions?"
00:07:55.83\00:08:03.06
"It's none of your concern"
00:08:03.06\00:08:04.46
They told me. And i was sad.
00:08:04.46\00:08:08.80
Do you know why they
said, it's none of your concern.
00:08:08.80\00:08:11.53
I don't know, i don't know.
00:08:11.53\00:08:13.76
Maybe, i thought to myself.
00:08:13.76\00:08:17.30
That maybe they don't--
00:08:17.30\00:08:18.70
They didn't like the
muslim people. Probably.
00:08:18.70\00:08:23.40
But this guy he didn't
tell me anything negative.
00:08:23.40\00:08:30.16
And then i asked him,
00:08:30.16\00:08:32.83
"Would you explain
to me what adventism is?
00:08:32.83\00:08:35.16
I heard about
christianity before
00:08:35.16\00:08:38.83
But i don't know
what adventism is."
00:08:38.83\00:08:42.03
So he told me
about the seventh day,
00:08:42.03\00:08:45.00
He told me about the sabbath
00:08:45.00\00:08:48.00
And he told me about
the second coming of christ.
00:08:48.00\00:08:52.93
And he pointed out
jesus as the savior,
00:08:52.93\00:08:58.63
Not for the christians,
but also for the whole world
00:08:58.63\00:09:03.10
If they accept
him as the savior.
00:09:03.10\00:09:06.70
So, well, finally i was happy
to hear the salvation message
00:09:06.70\00:09:11.93
Because i had no salvation
message in my religion.
00:09:11.93\00:09:16.40
Right then from a tourist,
00:09:16.40\00:09:18.13
You heard the
salvation message. Yes, exactly.
00:09:18.13\00:09:22.26
On the 29th of may 1453,
00:09:23.83\00:09:27.16
Sultan mehmed ii
captured constantinople
00:09:27.16\00:09:30.26
After a 53 day siege
00:09:30.26\00:09:32.86
And proclaimed constantinople
00:09:32.86\00:09:34.46
The new capital of
the ottoman empire.
00:09:34.46\00:09:37.96
The first duty of the
sultan was to stimulate
00:09:37.96\00:09:40.30
The failed economy of the city.
00:09:40.30\00:09:43.00
He created the grand bazaar
00:09:43.00\00:09:44.50
And invited the fleeing orthodox
00:09:44.50\00:09:46.23
And catholic
inhabitants to return.
00:09:46.23\00:09:48.93
The bazaar is here, the
people, they are incredible.
00:09:51.00\00:09:54.40
They are friendly.
00:09:54.40\00:09:55.80
They probably know
every language on planet earth
00:09:55.80\00:09:58.36
Because they are salesmen.
00:09:58.36\00:09:59.76
They are historical salesmen
00:09:59.76\00:10:01.16
From hundreds and
hundreds and hundreds of years.
00:10:01.16\00:10:03.66
From europe,
asia, this is the area
00:10:03.66\00:10:06.46
That everybody came to trade.
00:10:06.46\00:10:08.56
Matter of fact i am
told on a regular basis
00:10:08.56\00:10:10.66
Every year they trade
220,000 pounds of gold
00:10:10.66\00:10:16.03
And jewels, carpets,
00:10:16.03\00:10:18.36
Their carpets are
absolutely fabulous.
00:10:18.36\00:10:20.76
You've got to
come and check it out.
00:10:20.76\00:10:23.26
As you can see awr is
frontline mission radio.
00:10:37.06\00:10:40.86
Our first priority is to travel
where missionaries cannot go.
00:10:40.86\00:10:45.46
We broadcast
thousands of hours each day
00:10:45.46\00:10:48.00
In 70 major
languages of the world.
00:10:48.00\00:10:51.20
Awr has the capability
and capacity of blanketing
00:10:51.20\00:10:54.20
Almost 80% of the
world's population.
00:10:54.20\00:10:57.16
Not only do we
broadcast via shortwave radio,
00:10:57.16\00:11:00.66
But our signal is on
over 1000 fm and am stations
00:11:00.66\00:11:04.36
Around the world as well.
00:11:04.36\00:11:06.46
Our podcast
subscribers, internet users,
00:11:06.46\00:11:09.33
Satellite downlinks
are growing rapidly,
00:11:09.33\00:11:12.10
Evidenced by the
hundred thousand plus emails,
00:11:12.10\00:11:14.80
Letters, and phone calls we
receive each and every year.
00:11:14.80\00:11:18.83
Yes, awr is your mission radio.
00:11:18.83\00:11:22.16
No walls and no borders.
00:11:22.16\00:11:23.96
For awr that means
changed lives and changed hearts
00:11:23.96\00:11:26.86
Around the world,
because god is using
00:11:26.86\00:11:29.53
The airwaves of awr to
reach people everywhere.
00:11:29.53\00:11:34.03
Mehmed ii also built
great architecture monuments
00:11:38.53\00:11:42.03
Including the sultan
mosque in topkapi palace.
00:11:42.03\00:11:45.90
Initial
construction began in 1459.
00:11:45.90\00:11:49.60
The complex is made up
of four main courtyards
00:11:49.60\00:11:52.80
And many smaller buildings.
00:11:52.80\00:11:54.80
Right behind me,
perhaps in this very spot
00:11:58.86\00:12:02.00
Is where mehmed
ii actually walked,
00:12:02.00\00:12:04.33
The great sultan of his time.
00:12:04.33\00:12:06.43
In 1459, i believe it
was, he built his palace,
00:12:06.43\00:12:09.93
His home right here on
the bosphorus, topkapi.
00:12:09.93\00:12:14.56
You can see through the
gate here, the blue mosque
00:12:14.56\00:12:16.93
Above my shoulder hagia sophia.
00:12:16.93\00:12:19.36
It's an area that's
filled with history,
00:12:19.36\00:12:21.23
Filled with excitement,
filled with grandeur.
00:12:21.23\00:12:23.36
Let's check it out.
00:12:23.36\00:12:25.60
This royal
residence in its glory days
00:12:30.10\00:12:32.56
Was home to as
many as 4,000 people.
00:12:32.56\00:12:36.20
The palace was the
main residence of the sultan
00:12:36.20\00:12:38.60
And his court and
initially the seat of government
00:12:38.60\00:12:41.03
For the ottoman empire.
00:12:41.03\00:12:43.20
I'm standing in the
sultan's imperial hall,
00:12:45.30\00:12:47.90
This is where he greeted guests,
this is where he entertained,
00:12:47.90\00:12:51.03
It's not hard to imagine
00:12:51.03\00:12:52.83
Looking right out
there seeing the sultan
00:12:52.83\00:12:54.60
And all of his guests right now.
00:12:54.60\00:12:56.50
We are at the sultan's harem.
00:13:04.00\00:13:05.73
At the height of its glory
there were 1200 concubines.
00:13:05.73\00:13:09.16
Let's see what's inside.
00:13:09.16\00:13:11.00
Perhaps the women of
the harem stood right here
00:13:25.86\00:13:28.06
And looked into this
mirror to see their beauty.
00:13:28.06\00:13:30.73
Was this beauty good
enough for the sultan
00:13:30.73\00:13:32.46
That they could be
chosen as one of the wives,
00:13:32.46\00:13:34.63
One of the special ones.
00:13:34.63\00:13:36.16
Here is one of the
fireplaces in the harem.
00:13:43.50\00:13:45.80
Why do you need a fireplace?
00:13:45.80\00:13:47.33
I couldn't imagine why
00:13:47.33\00:13:48.73
Until i talked with
someone here in istanbul.
00:13:48.73\00:13:50.63
They said it gets
three feet of snow.
00:13:50.63\00:13:53.56
No wonder the sultan prepared
a fireplace for his ladies.
00:13:53.56\00:13:58.06
Apparently this is some
more of the ice in tile,
00:14:01.90\00:14:05.03
The area where they
made tile for sultan
00:14:05.03\00:14:08.76
For anybody who is anybody.
00:14:08.76\00:14:14.03
I am told there are over
20,000 different pieces of tiles
00:14:14.03\00:14:17.50
In some of these areas.
00:14:17.50\00:14:18.90
The sultan made it illegal
for anybody else to order tile
00:14:18.90\00:14:22.83
Until his project was
done, but beauty beyond compare.
00:14:22.83\00:14:28.03
Great kitchens provided
lavish meals and nourishments.
00:14:31.90\00:14:35.26
And dormitories,
gardens, libraries,
00:14:35.26\00:14:37.30
Schools and
mosques were available.
00:14:37.30\00:14:40.53
This grand gate
was built in 1524.
00:14:42.13\00:14:45.43
From this location the sultan
would greet the official guest
00:14:45.43\00:14:48.90
And if he didn't like
you, after he disapproved
00:14:48.90\00:14:51.36
He would strangle
you in the very spot.
00:14:51.36\00:14:54.90
After the end of
ottoman empire in 1921,
00:15:01.90\00:15:05.60
Topkapi palace was transformed
00:15:05.60\00:15:07.50
Into a museum of
the imperial era.
00:15:07.50\00:15:10.83
The palace is filled with
large collections of porcelain,
00:15:10.83\00:15:14.13
Robes, weapons,
armor, and religious relics.
00:15:14.13\00:15:18.30
What happened next, i mean
00:15:26.06\00:15:27.80
I know your life has
been totally changed.
00:15:27.80\00:15:30.46
Share more with me. Yeah.
00:15:30.46\00:15:33.83
After two week he
went back to his country.
00:15:33.83\00:15:40.26
And then we started to
correspond with each other.
00:15:40.26\00:15:44.53
And he sent me a letter
and he told me in his letter
00:15:44.53\00:15:47.80
That he had a friend in
my city who was a pastor,
00:15:47.80\00:15:53.50
Who was an adventist pastor.
00:15:53.50\00:15:55.00
And he asked me whether if i
would meet that pastor or not.
00:15:55.00\00:16:01.43
And i told him that i was
going to be glad to meet him.
00:16:01.43\00:16:07.36
And then i met
that pastor in my city
00:16:07.36\00:16:11.96
And he had the
same kind of character
00:16:11.96\00:16:15.50
And he was so polite and humble.
00:16:15.50\00:16:18.93
And then we made
friends with that pastor too.
00:16:18.93\00:16:23.30
And he started to teach me
about the bible and christ.
00:16:23.30\00:16:29.30
And he gave me bible
lessons for two years.
00:16:29.30\00:16:34.33
And at the end
of these two years
00:16:34.33\00:16:36.26
I decided to be baptized
00:16:36.26\00:16:40.23
And i accepted
christ as my personal savior
00:16:40.23\00:16:44.93
And i joined
god's family in 1997.
00:16:44.93\00:16:50.96
Tell me about the
family, your mom, your dad,
00:16:50.96\00:16:53.53
And your wife now, do
they know you're a christian
00:16:53.53\00:16:56.26
And how did that
happen if they do?
00:16:56.26\00:16:59.40
Well, my wife and my
father, they know about that.
00:16:59.40\00:17:06.50
And they already know
that i am an adventist now.
00:17:06.50\00:17:10.80
And i lost my
mother seven years ago.
00:17:10.80\00:17:14.33
And they are learning too.
00:17:14.33\00:17:17.93
But you had to keep
this secret from them
00:17:17.93\00:17:20.03
And even secret from your
wife for years you told me.
00:17:20.03\00:17:23.46
Yes i didn't dare to tell her
about my faith for a long time.
00:17:23.46\00:17:29.56
Because i didn't
know how she would react.
00:17:29.56\00:17:33.63
I noticed that god also
had a plan for my wife too,
00:17:33.63\00:17:39.66
So that she could find
out about my belief, finally.
00:17:39.66\00:17:44.06
Our viewers, they need to
understand that this just isn't,
00:17:44.06\00:17:48.16
Isn't a little thing that when
we need to keep you secret now
00:17:48.16\00:17:52.36
And the things you are sharing.
00:17:52.36\00:17:54.86
This is not a topic
00:17:54.86\00:17:56.70
That the muslim
religion tolerates. Yeah.
00:17:56.70\00:18:01.93
Even if we keep
it secret for a time
00:18:01.93\00:18:07.16
And god has a plan to reveal
this truth to other people.
00:18:07.16\00:18:12.30
And i believe that
god has a certain time
00:18:12.30\00:18:16.00
For both my wife and my father
00:18:16.00\00:18:21.16
And with all my
heart i believe that
00:18:21.16\00:18:23.20
They will join
god's family someday.
00:18:23.20\00:18:27.50
During the reign
of sultan mehmed i
00:18:31.23\00:18:33.96
Early in the 17th century
00:18:33.96\00:18:36.00
He decided to build a
large mosque to placket allah.
00:18:36.00\00:18:39.90
The mosque was built
on the side of the palace
00:18:39.90\00:18:42.13
Of the byzantine emperors
00:18:42.13\00:18:43.76
And facing the hagia
sophia and the hippodrome.
00:18:43.76\00:18:47.23
Both sites of great
symbolic significance.
00:18:47.23\00:18:50.56
Today the sultan mehmed mosque
00:18:54.73\00:18:56.56
Is commonly known
as the blue mosque
00:18:56.56\00:18:58.80
Because of the blue tiles
adorning the interior walls.
00:18:58.80\00:19:02.50
There are some 20,000
handmade ceramic tiles
00:19:02.50\00:19:05.46
In more than 50
different tulip designs.
00:19:05.46\00:19:10.76
When the mosque
was under construction
00:19:10.76\00:19:12.66
And it was revealed that the
plan called for six minarets.
00:19:12.66\00:19:15.93
The sultan was
criticized for presumption.
00:19:15.93\00:19:18.96
How could he ever consider
00:19:18.96\00:19:20.43
The idea to rival
the number of minarets
00:19:20.43\00:19:23.06
On the great mosque in mecca?
00:19:23.06\00:19:25.00
Who would dare do such a thing?
00:19:25.00\00:19:27.63
He overcame the criticism
by paying for seventh minaret
00:19:27.63\00:19:30.70
To be built in mecca.
00:19:30.70\00:19:33.23
The minaret of the muslim mosque
00:19:35.10\00:19:37.03
Has a function
specific to worship.
00:19:37.03\00:19:39.90
About 80 years after
the death of muhammad,
00:19:39.90\00:19:42.86
Minarets appeared to
provide a vantage point
00:19:42.86\00:19:45.06
From which the muezzin
called the faithful to prayer.
00:19:45.06\00:19:48.80
Today the mosques are
equipped with loudspeakers
00:19:48.80\00:19:51.03
And a microphone.
00:19:51.03\00:19:53.10
The crowds have
thinned down little bit,
00:19:55.23\00:19:56.70
So common let's
check out the inside.
00:19:56.70\00:19:59.40
The decorations
include verses from the qur'an
00:20:09.80\00:20:12.60
And the floors are
covered with carpets,
00:20:12.60\00:20:14.73
Which are donated
by faithful people
00:20:14.73\00:20:16.70
And are regularly
replaced as they wear out.
00:20:16.70\00:20:20.10
Through the radio waves of awr
00:20:24.03\00:20:26.10
God is reaching
people around the world.
00:20:26.10\00:20:30.03
We would like to offer
you an edition of making wave.
00:20:30.03\00:20:32.50
It's four of our episodes
00:20:32.50\00:20:33.90
Brought to you
from around the world.
00:20:33.90\00:20:36.26
God speaking to hearts,
00:20:36.26\00:20:38.10
The hearts of listeners
of awr exciting stories.
00:20:38.10\00:20:40.76
We hope that you'll share those
with friends and neighbors,
00:20:40.76\00:20:43.26
Apprentices, anyone who
come in and contact with.
00:20:43.26\00:20:45.86
Join us to make
waves, it's completely free.
00:20:45.86\00:20:49.16
Right now the
information is on your screen.
00:20:49.16\00:20:52.63
For your free no obligation dvd,
00:20:52.63\00:20:55.06
Write to adventist world radio
00:20:55.06\00:20:57.70
12501 old columbia
pike silver spring, maryland
00:20:57.70\00:21:01.83
20904 or call 1-866-503-3531
00:21:01.83\00:21:09.00
Or log on to www.Awr.Org/mwdvd.
00:21:09.00\00:21:16.10
Be sure to
request offer number 10,
00:21:16.10\00:21:18.70
That number again
is 1-866-503-3531.
00:21:18.70\00:21:24.86
Early, early in the
morning, i mean very early,
00:21:30.90\00:21:34.63
From these loudspeakers
at top of all these minarets,
00:21:34.63\00:21:37.23
Not only these but
mosque all over the country,
00:21:37.23\00:21:40.60
The sound for prayer goes out.
00:21:40.60\00:21:43.96
Calling, calling, come
to prayer, come to prayer.
00:21:43.96\00:21:47.03
Now, what's very interesting
is while 99% of the population
00:21:47.03\00:21:52.13
In this country is
muslim, it's a secular state.
00:21:52.13\00:21:56.10
It's a very interesting
mix of how secularism
00:21:56.10\00:22:00.53
And the muslims work
together here in the country.
00:22:00.53\00:22:04.90
As in 2007, there were 2,944
active mosques in istanbul.
00:22:10.20\00:22:15.93
Anyone who visits will
realize that during prayer time.
00:22:15.93\00:22:19.46
The songs of muslim prayers
ring out five times a day,
00:22:22.10\00:22:25.80
Early morning, noon,
afternoon, sunset and evening.
00:22:25.80\00:22:30.56
In istanbul the
sound of prayers coming
00:22:30.56\00:22:32.56
From almost 3,000
mosques simultaneously,
00:22:32.56\00:22:35.26
It's a sound you won't forget.
00:22:35.26\00:22:37.43
But not all is good for
you, i understand the police
00:22:55.60\00:22:58.76
Kicked you all out of church.
00:22:58.76\00:23:00.43
How was your church,
00:23:00.43\00:23:01.83
Tell us a little bit about that?
00:23:01.83\00:23:03.23
Well, our church
building here is not registered
00:23:03.23\00:23:07.03
As a church building.
00:23:07.03\00:23:09.60
And according to
the turkish constitution
00:23:09.60\00:23:13.36
It is not legal to
meet for praying purpose,
00:23:13.36\00:23:17.20
For worshipping
purpose in a building.
00:23:17.20\00:23:22.13
So when we meet
together on sabbath day
00:23:22.13\00:23:28.10
It is considered to
be an illegal meeting,
00:23:28.10\00:23:31.20
According to our constitution.
00:23:31.20\00:23:33.36
So that's why
police come every now
00:23:33.36\00:23:36.76
And then to check
whether we meet there or not.
00:23:36.76\00:23:41.30
And a couple of
months ago they came again
00:23:41.30\00:23:45.83
And they found us worshipping
and they took our identity cards
00:23:45.83\00:23:51.70
And they wrote our names down.
00:23:51.70\00:23:55.20
And they warned us
not to meet there again.
00:23:55.20\00:23:59.93
So it's very
disturbing situation for us.
00:23:59.93\00:24:06.20
Hakan, have you heard of awr?
00:24:06.20\00:24:08.73
Yes! Yes, i did.
00:24:08.73\00:24:10.56
You told me that you
have talked with many muslims
00:24:10.56\00:24:14.03
That are
searching and our programs,
00:24:14.03\00:24:17.83
You understand they are making
a difference in their lives.
00:24:17.83\00:24:21.00
Yeah, yes.
00:24:21.00\00:24:23.06
If they hear these programs,
so they can maybe practice
00:24:23.06\00:24:31.36
What they heard on the
program in their own lives.
00:24:33.56\00:24:37.80
So that can be opportunity
for them to change their lives.
00:24:37.80\00:24:44.60
So it can be a very
good example for them.
00:24:44.60\00:24:49.10
Your brother muslims, there are
probably be muslims watching.
00:24:49.10\00:24:52.76
What would you
like to tell them?
00:24:52.76\00:24:57.10
I want to tell them that god
has always a plan for everybody.
00:24:57.10\00:25:02.76
Even if they are
away from the truth
00:25:02.76\00:25:06.43
There is a certain time
that god determined for them
00:25:06.43\00:25:09.96
To find out the truth.
00:25:09.96\00:25:12.40
And they should never think that
00:25:12.40\00:25:15.96
it is impossible to
find the way of God.
00:25:15.96\00:25:20.46
And just like with me,
00:25:20.46\00:25:23.50
God will always make it possible
00:25:23.50\00:25:27.23
for them to come to Himself.
00:25:27.23\00:25:30.70
And they must keep in
mind that they have a savior
00:25:30.70\00:25:39.20
and they have a
message of salvation.
00:25:39.20\00:25:42.93
And God is always
taking care of them.
00:25:42.93\00:25:46.60
My brother Hakan, hold
fast to the end brother.
00:25:48.33\00:25:51.60
Thank you very much.
00:25:51.60\00:25:53.33
We appreciate this a great deal.
00:25:53.33\00:25:55.80
Thank you very
much. God bless you.
00:25:55.80\00:25:59.80
In the Old
Testament Book of Isaiah 65:1,
00:26:01.10\00:26:06.63
God says, "I revealed myself
to those who did not ask for me,
00:26:06.63\00:26:13.30
I was found by those
who did not seek me."
00:26:13.30\00:26:16.63
That's what happened in the
story we saw today of Hakan,
00:26:16.63\00:26:20.70
here in this
greatcountry of Turkey,
00:26:20.70\00:26:22.80
some 70 million plus people.
00:26:22.80\00:26:26.13
It's amazing when
you think about it.
00:26:26.13\00:26:28.26
This was the
place of the founding
00:26:28.26\00:26:30.00
of church
growth in Christianity.
00:26:30.00\00:26:32.66
The Apostle Paul came
here on his missionary journeys
00:26:32.66\00:26:35.63
and founded a
number of churches.
00:26:35.63\00:26:38.50
But then through the
centuries things changed
00:26:38.50\00:26:41.16
and Christians almost
disappeared from this land.
00:26:41.16\00:26:44.80
Isn't that wonderful that
once again there are people
00:26:44.80\00:26:48.30
who are making the
decision for Jesus Christ.
00:26:48.30\00:26:51.50
Those who want to follow Him
00:26:51.50\00:26:53.60
and they are the
seed of the beginning
00:26:53.60\00:26:56.06
of another new
growth of Christianity
00:26:56.06\00:26:58.70
in this country of Turkey.
00:26:58.70\00:27:00.93
I want you to join us at AWR
00:27:00.93\00:27:02.93
as we broadcast
to people like Hakan,
00:27:02.93\00:27:06.40
not only here in Turkey,
00:27:06.40\00:27:07.80
but in another
places all around the world.
00:27:07.80\00:27:11.06
If you would like
to partner with us
00:27:11.06\00:27:12.46
to reach people
around the world,
00:27:12.46\00:27:14.16
give us a call right now.
00:27:14.16\00:27:15.70
1-866-503-3531 or you can write
00:27:15.70\00:27:20.53
to 12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
00:27:20.53\00:27:26.96
or log on to our
website at www.awr.org.
00:27:26.96\00:27:32.83
Thank you for watching
and please join us again
00:27:32.83\00:27:34.86
for another
exciting gospel adventure.
00:27:34.86\00:27:37.16
Because around the
world AWR is making waves.
00:27:37.16\00:27:42.36