Wow, Yursil Bhai. Mash’Allah for this! But wait, these Ottomans don’t sound like the same ‘Terrible Turks’ I read about in history class or the hundreds’ of Orientalist narratives. Maybe I should re-assess where I’ve been getting my knowledge, because these Ottomans you speak of actually sound like ‘real’ progressive muslims – meaning – making real progress, and sound like perfect examples of the finest of human beings with their manners, practices, and policies on an administrative, religious, and secular level being so successful. Such a big contrast to the fear-mongering and bamboozling we are receiving in our present day, where the motto – “never trust your government” – is too little too late, and never enough.

And here I thought our Muslim progenitors, our ancestors, the Ottomans were all backward, barbarians bent on tyrannizing all of humanity. You mean to tell me, they *weren’t* wearing those Red Fez’s to hide their horns? But I just ate it all up. Maybe I should reassess not only the subject matter I’ve been taking my knowledge from, but my skill and capabilities in making intelligent decisions.

Thanks for this wakeup call or “azan with salawat”

- Osman