Senior Couples visit the Nizamiye Mosque

On Saturday, January 15th, many of the senior couples visited the Nizamiye Mosque.  It is known as the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.  They have a medical clinic, and a school.  Children came at age 11 and stay for three years - memorizing the 600+ pages of the Quran.  The students get up at 4 in the morning and study until 9 at night!
The young man in the red shirt was our guide.  He is from Turkey and last November he and an older man were the guides for us and Elder and Sister Humphreys.  He is the Principal of the school and a very bright young man.  He is studying World Religions and asked us a lot of questions.  Mostly Elder Humphreys answered him and they exchanged email addresses.  Sarett contacted Elder Humphreys first and asked for more information.  They answered all his questions - he asked for a Book of Mormon and now would like to attend a Sunday Service of our Church!
Behind that mask is a very handsome and loving Elder Smith!  All the materials for this Mosque were imported from Turkey!  The art is very beautiful.

This is inside, they asked that the women covered their heads, and everyone took off their shoes.  The carpet is made with the individual prayer spaces - notice the yellow tape that allows for social distancing!  Last November with just the two couples, they didn't ask that Sister Humphreys and I cover our heads!  
The senior couple who made the reservation to have our large group come, were told about the scarfs so we were prepared - Sister Perkins brought her two to the office and loaned me one!  
After the tour we had reservations to eat at the Ottoman Palace!  Others had eaten there, it is on the site of the Mosque - and said it was very good... it was!

 We had this 'Flaming Bridge' to share with three other couples!  The meat is lamb chops, chicken, and beef cubes, and Turkish meat balls. We also had salad and rice. The food was plentiful and delicious! It is always fun to be with the other senior couples.  Elder Gordon and Sister June Smith are returning home to Pleasant Grove, Utah tomorrow!  

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