/restaurant-reviews/zubeyir-kebab-heaven-in-istanbul/ Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:21:07 +0000 hourly 1 /restaurant-reviews/zubeyir-kebab-heaven-in-istanbul/#comment-401 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:21:07 +0000 /restaurant-reviews/zubeyir-kebab-heaven-in-istanbul/#comment-401 John, Thanks for your very shrewd observations re Istanbul. I agree with you completely–the dynamism of Istanbul is a wonderful example of progressive Islam and a modern, cosmopolitan city in a major Muslim country. Best, Alec

]]> /restaurant-reviews/zubeyir-kebab-heaven-in-istanbul/#comment-400 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 02:42:03 +0000 /restaurant-reviews/zubeyir-kebab-heaven-in-istanbul/#comment-400 Alec, I went to Istanbul twice during my time in Paris, and only was taken to upscale restaurants that wouldn't match your culinary objectivity or exploratory inclinations. But I think there's a larger issue here: that Istanbul, with it's size and education and sophistication and success is THE model for solving the antagonism between the East and the West. We need to make more Westerners familiar with Istanbul, because that's a Muslim world we can live with and work with. And to the degree that Istanbul becomes a model for Muslims, the world will be safer and happier.

]]>