In one of my research sites the preachers have used me as an example in their sermons on at least three occasions, two of which I heard in person. If I had lofty or delusional thoughts about needing to avoid reactivity – observing my “subjects” without impacting them in any way – then I’d be [...]
Entries Tagged 'Research in Turkey' ↓
You’re so vain, you probably think this sermon is about you
June 27th, 2008 — Research in Turkey
A stranger just loaned me his laptop for two hours
May 16th, 2008 — Research in Turkey
After observing meetings and interviewing muftis in various provinces I always have a lot I want to write down, but my laptop battery doesn’t last long and I have one of those lemony MacBooks that likes to shut down randomly. This usually leaves me scrawling notes on a legal pad that I have to type [...]
I can sleep in tomorrow thanks to the Queen
May 13th, 2008 — Research in Turkey
My weekly trip to Bursa has been preempted by the Queen of England. She’ll be visiting Bursa tomorrow, and as part of her trip she’ll visit the Green Mosque and listen to recitation of a sura from the Koran, which means the folks I usually observe at the mufti building will be up to their [...]
Sick for a week
March 20th, 2008 — Research in Turkey
I was so ready to keep up last week’s momentum — I visited four different sites in three days — but instead I got a cold and have been out of the house only once since last Friday. Ugh. On the up side, I’ve had more time to work on a paper revision due at [...]
An early morning with Osman, Sheik Edebali, and the Mufti
March 16th, 2008 — Research in Turkey
The bus dropped me off in Bilecik at 5:30 AM, a wee bit early for my 9:00 AM meeting. I hung out at the bus station for a few minutes and then walked out to the main road, which overlooked a valley. I thought I would wait around till sunrise and take some pictures, but [...]
Overnight trip to Bilecik, birthplace of the Ottomans
March 11th, 2008 — Research in Turkey
I’m taking an overnight bus to Bilecik to interview the mufti there. Bilecik is one of the smallest provinces in Turkey, but the mufti has been the mufti of Istanbul, Ankara, and Diyarbakir, and a vice president at the Diyanet, so I’m looking forward to learning about his experiences. (I probably won’t bring up why [...]
Off to Izmir & Bursa
February 25th, 2008 — Research in Turkey
I’m feeling a little under the weather, but I’m still planning to catch my flight to Izmir tomorrow AM. I haven’t been there for a sermon meeting since October because the hajj season interrupted their regular schedule, so I’m glad to be getting back in touch. My last visit was great. From Izmir I’ll take [...]