(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in Istanbul demonstrated the Dafa exercises on September 5, 2020, in a park near the Chinese consulate. They also raised awareness of the persecution of their faith that has been going on for 21 years in China.

A photo exhibition depicting Falun Dafa’s journey was set up in the park. It featured images of Falun Dafa’s rising popularity throughout China, its spread to Western countries, and the Chinese government's brutal persecution of Dafa practitioners. Many people who came to the park or walked along the coast saw the practitioners' banners and stopped to view the exhibition.

Some visitors stayed for a long time and learned more about the persecution. Several were very upset about the atrocities committed by the Chinese communist regime in the persecution and asked how they could help.

A few people who strictly observed social distancing due to the pandemic took photos of the posters and the photo exhibition rather than taking brochures. They told practitioners that they would follow practitioners’ social media accounts to be more informed about the persecution.

Ms. Dilara enjoyed learning the exercises.

Ms. Dilara learned all five exercises with the practitioners. She shared, “At first I did not understand anything, but towards the end I felt relaxed. Even now, there is a comfort in me and I can feel it. A spiritual relief. It is as if you will receive news, you will be very comfortable and very happy... As if everything has always been so beautiful. I feel very comfortable, very peaceful right now. It really is so, like the peace of mind in our childhood.”

She also shared her thoughts about the pandemic. “Maybe [the Chinese Communist Party] didn’t think it would spread this much, but the whole world was ruined because of them, because of the Chinese Communist Party,” she said.

Children visiting the exhibition

A group of children aged 8 to 12 visited the exhibition with their families. Two of them are famous child actors who have played in TV series and commercials. They learned the exercises and were very concerned about the persecution. Their families also said that the children will talk about Falun Dafa and the persecution on their social media sites.

Deniz İrem and Gedizcan Gürdoğan sat in meditation with practitioners.

Deniz İrem Morkoç said, “I’m glad I came here today and attended this event and strengthened my knowledge even more. I'd like to see more activities like this in our country. And now I feel so good in all my bones. It has relieved all my fatigue.”

Gedizcan Gürdoğan said, ”It was really good doing this activity because I'm more relaxed. I mean, that fatigue, for example, you worked hard all day, and after doing these exercises in the evening, you feel very comfortable. That is how you feel purified.”

Beliz Doğan, after doing the fifth exercise, remarked that her feeling of tiredness just disappeared.

Enis Teoman Doğan did the fifth exercise and said, “This has relieved all my tiredness. I feel as if I've slept for 8 days and I have no pain.”

Ms. İnsel and her friend had learned about the persecution during a candlelight vigil a year ago. When they saw the practitioners again, they stopped by. “Please keep doing these activities here. I support you,” Ms. Insel said.