(Clearwisdom.net) On August 20-21, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners in Turkey held activities in a square in a busy commercial area of Istanbul, raising awareness about Falun Gong and the persecution taking place in China.

The square is in the busiest and most crowded area of Istanbul and between two main commercial streets full of pedestrians coming and going. Many people stopped, came forward, accepted leaflets and asked for exercise locations. During the nearly three hours of activities, many people were sitting nearby, watching the exercise demonstrations from beginning to end.

A university student came over and told a Falun Gong practitioner, "At first, I didn't pay much attention to it, but I was touched the moment you started demonstrating the exercises." The practitioner told him what Falun Gong is and why Falun Gong practitioners are being tortured inhumanly in China. After hearing this, the student said that this was of such great value that he wanted to take this matter as a special topic in his paper. As he was leaving, he left his address and telephone number so that the practitioner could keep in touch.

An older woman was keenly focused on watching the exercise demonstration not far from the square. Later, she told a practitioner who approached her, "Falun Gong has made me feel a quietness and peacefulness I have never had before." She asked for the locations of exercise sites multiple times.

During the process of applying for a permit for the activity, practitioners visited several departments. At the Sicily local authority, practitioners were warmly received by many officials including Mr. Mustafa Sarigul, Mayor of Sicily, and Mr. Aydin, Deputy Mayor of Sicily. After viewing pictures and a brief introduction about Falun Gong, one official telephoned a recreation room in the local area recommending these exercises which can improve people's health, and at the same time he told the practitioners, "Our people need Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance." The official then invited the practitioners to join in a foundation-laying ceremony for a new school. He told them that they could distribute leaflets to people who came to participate in the ceremony, and said that children and many people there would have an opportunity to learn about Falun Gong. At the conclusion of the event, Mr. Aydin held up a Falun Gong banner and took a photo with the practitioners.

During the two days, practitioners brought many hand-made paper lotus flowers, which symbolize the noble spirit of Falun Gong practitioners.

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200809/46300.html