(Minghui.org) Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises at Tarabya Seaside in Sarıyer, an upscale district of Istanbul, on August 15 and September 5, 2026. They told people how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes Falun Dafa and collected signatures on a petition calling for the atrocities to end.
During the event which was held near the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul, they displayed posters and banners highlighting the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners.
People learn about Falun Dafa during events at Tarabya Seaside in Sarıyer on August 15 and September 5, 2026. (Minghui.org)
The event on August 15, which began at 7:30 p.m., concluded at 10:00 p.m. People who were walking or running stopped in front of the event area to read the banners and talk with practitioners. Some people signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Dafa.
Two people, who learned the exercises last month at a similar event, warmly greeted the practitioners.
Sevgi İpekli, a kindergarten teacher, tries the exercises with her children. (Minghuui.org)
After trying the exercises, İpekli said, “They are very beautiful and relaxing exercises. I really enjoyed them. They are peaceful and soothing.”
Meltem Kaska (Minghui.org)
Meltem Kaska, who works for an insurance company, tried the exercises. Afterwards she said, “I felt very relaxed. I closed my eyes and felt my body relax and how it stretched. I really enjoy meditating. I sometimes close my eyes and listen to my inner voice. This meditation made me feel really good.”
After learning about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners, Kaska said, “I believe that in every country, everyone should be free to do whatever exercise makes them feel good and that they choose to do. If meditation brings peace to my heart and relaxes my body, then I should be free to practice meditation.”
The practitioners’ event began around sunset and ended at 9:30 p.m on September 5. On the day of the event, the seaside promenade appeared quiet. However, as the evening progressed, the area became crowded and people stopped to learn about Falun Dafa and the CCP’s persecution.
Practitioners held a candlelight vigil (Minghui.org)
Bektaş Altılı (Minghui.org)
Twelve-year-old Bektaş Altılı is a seventh-grade student who dreams of becoming a police officer. He previously encountered Falun Dafa practitioners twice and received a brochure each time. When he saw them for the third time, he decided to try the exercises.
Afterwards, he said, “This is the third time I’ve seen you. I had received a brochure from you before. After I took it home, my younger brother and I opened the brochure and tried to do the exercises shown inside. When I saw you today, I wanted to do the exercises. I felt very peaceful and relaxed. Everyone should follow Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance because they are good. Thank you.”
Anıl Kocaman (Minghui.org)
After Anıl Kocaman, a financial auditor, did the exercises with practitioners, he said, “This is the first time I’ve heard of Falun Dafa. I’ve tried different forms of meditation before. I felt very good while doing these exercises. They made me feel really good. I condemn the persecution in China. There is so much evil in the world. What I sincerely hope is that the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance can be practiced throughout the world.”
A man talked with practitioners and signed the petition. (Minhui.org)
A man watched practitioners do the exercises and said, “I travel to and from China, so I know what is happening there. I am interested in martial arts and have a master. We travel to China together, so we know what is going on there. I’m signing the petition both on my own behalf and on behalf of my master.”
He then signed the petition twice, once for himself and once for his master.
When practitioners concluded the event at 9:30 p.m., people once again began gathering around them. They asked questions and requested informational materials about Falun Dafa and the persecution.
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