Sherife Slocum Arslan

Sherife Slocum Arslan is a feature writer at TRT World who writes with a passion for Ottoman cultural heritage, the inner dimension of the Islamic faith and the layered stories of Istanbul.

Articles from author

Shapers of clay, shaped by clay: the living legacy of Iznik ceramics

Along the shores of Iznik Lake, a handful of traditional artists keep kilns burning and unique pieces of painted pottery baking, continuing a centuries-old tradition.

12 min read

Shapers of clay, shaped by clay: the living legacy of Iznik ceramics

Profiling Istanbul: Between nostalgia of loss and abiding love in Cengelkoy

Cengelkoy survived tumultuous years of Turkish history, lost beloved neighbours, embraced all in return. People continue to embody the centuries-old spirit of peace and togetherness.

9 min read

Profiling Istanbul: Between nostalgia of loss and abiding love in Cengelkoy

Profiling Istanbul: Cengelkoy, the stories that live on through its monuments

The three-part series dedicated to Cengelkoy continues with its second installment. Here are the tales, old and new, of some of its most interesting monuments.

10 min read

Profiling Istanbul: Cengelkoy, the stories that live on through its monuments

Profiling Istanbul: Cengelkoy, a town at the bend of the Istanbul Strait

TRT World brings you a new series on the city of Istanbul, starting from neighbourhoods abutting the bends of the Istanbul Strait. On each bend, there lies a ‘koy,’ or ‘village’ in Turkish.

11 min read

Profiling Istanbul: Cengelkoy, a town at the bend of the Istanbul Strait

The Enderun Tarawih Prayer: A Ramadan experience at the Eyup Sultan Mosque

During Ramadan, few experiences in Istanbul offer the chance to travel back in time. Here’s why visiting the Eyup Sultan Mosque, an authentic site that hosts the Enderun Tarawih on a daily basis throughout the holy month, should not be missed.

14 min read

The Enderun Tarawih Prayer: A Ramadan experience at the Eyup Sultan Mosque

Umrah: My long anticipated journey to the Holy Kaaba

Referred to as “the greatest journey of a lifetime” by the 14th century traveller Ibn Battuta, pilgrimage to the Kaaba has been a source of blessings for Muslims around the world for 1,400 years. Here's how my journey to the holy sanctuary unfolded.

21 min read

Umrah: My long anticipated journey to the Holy Kaaba

Salep: A hot, sweetened, milky drink relished by Turks in the winter

Made of ground orchid roots and milk, salep has been a staple cherished on the streets of Istanbul and in Turkish homes for centuries. Here's what makes it so special.

7 min read

Salep: A hot, sweetened, milky drink relished by Turks in the winter