By Tugce Ozerdem / Kuzey / 08 Mar 2014

In the past, there were 60 gates serving as entry points on the gigantic historic walls surrounding the city of Istanbul, but most of them were reduced to ruins a long time ago.

Nonetheless, these walls served their purpose for centuries, protecting Istanbul from a number of attacks. The 20 meter tall walls were the main barriers guarding the city.

By Gulay Krasnic / Kuzey News / 25 Feb 2014 

While many think Islamic history of Balkans began with Ottoman expansion in the region, they were not the first Muslims steps in eastern Europe. Centuries ago, Seljuks another Turkish-Muslim community arrived in Balkans and were influential in spread of Islam. Their heritage were found in Kosovo's Gora province where a tomb of prominent Muslim dervish Sarı Saltuk in addition to a mosque built by Seljuks 725 years ago.

Source : World Bulletin / 1 Feb 2014

Safranbolu, located in the central-northern province of Karabuk in Turkey, has been declared by UNESCO as one of the 20 best-reserved sites around the world in its list of world cultural heritage cites. It maintains the title of best-protected tourism site with its Ottoman traditional houses built in the 18th to 20th century.

Source : Al Arabiya / 19 Dec 2013

The deterioration of the Syrian economy, work opportunities in areas controlled by the opposition and the living conditions of refugees in neighboring countries were among the topics discussed at the Syrian Economic Forum, held for the first time this week in Gaziantep, Turkey.

Turkish officials, members of the Syrian opposition, businessmen and economic analysts attended the conference.

Source : Hürriyet Daily News / 2 Dec 2013

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent criticisms of mixed-sex student housing is widely supported by public opinion, according to a recent poll.

Some 55 percent of poll participants said they were in favor of forbidding such living arrangements while 38 objected to the idea, the MetroPoll research center’s recent study has revealed.

Source : AA.com.tr / 26 Nov 2013

A symposium marking the 500th anniversary of the printing of the first world map by renowned Ottoman sailor and cartographer Piri Reis began on Monday in Ankara.

Piri Reis produced the oldest known map of the globe in 1513. He created the map by integrating the knowledge of the sailors travelling all over the world and by using their skill in mathematics and the geometry.

Source : World Bulletin / 22 Nov 2013

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his Justice and Development Party government made history in Turkey by planting Forests on an area equal to Belgium's size in past eleven years.

In a sapling ceremony at Ankara's Gazi University, Erdogan said that the government will continue its efforts on Forestation at universities, saying "free ideas can only be flourished at green universities."

Source : World Bulletin / 16 Nov 2013

An international symposium named after a prominent Islamic scholar, Imam-ı Rabbani, launched on Friday in Istanbul. Known as the “reviver of the second millennium”, the Indian Islamic scholar brings the messages, rejuvenating Islam beyond centuries.

A three-day symposium organized by the Aziz Mahmut Hudayi Foundation and Istanbul Sufi Studies Center started with an opening ceremony at the Halic Congress Center. Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate President Mehmet Gormez, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek and Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag were also in the attendance at the ceremony along with more than 40 academicians around the world.

By Cihan / 12 Nov 2013

The Council of State has ruled that female lawyers are not required to provide a photograph showing their hair in order to register for the bar, the Turkish media reported on Monday.

The 8th Chamber of the Council of State, handling a case opened by a headscarved lawyer after her application for registry at the bar was refused, granted an injunction on a bylaw of the Legal Profession Act. The chamber made its decision unanimously.

Source : World Bulletin / 08 Nov 2013

Turkish political parties and media sources have been discussing Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's latest remarks on the cohabitation of male and female students. Meanwhile, a new study conducted by Turkish universities showed that most Turkish people were opposed to extramarital affairs.

The Turkish media reported on Monday that Erdogan complained about the lack of dormitories for university students, which he said caused many problems.