There are many things that are similar about Turkey and Sicily- both places have a reputation for being more dangerous than they really are, both are considered more "machisimo", both have a very strong link to the predominant religion of the country (and in both places the majority of the people are more about secular than the religious aspect). And yet, you cannot seperate the country from the religion.
In Turkey, five times a day we heard the call to prayer go out where an imam read from the quran. In Sicily, we hear on the hour, the song "Immaculate Mary" ring out across the city. I have to be honest, when I first heard the call to prayer, I was a bit spooked and then after awhile I became curious as to what actually was being said. Here in Sicily, I know the song and actually look forward to the stroke of a new hour when I can cheerfully hum along to the song.
Also, in both places, I have seen the "man bag" used quite a bit. And while I was put off at the thought in Turkey, it makes me chuckle in Sicily (big, burly men carrying a bag :-).
I have to ask myself "what, then, is the difference?" and the only answer I can come up with is "it's all about what you're used to". Although I'm not Sicilian, I have many Sicilian friends and acquiantances so I'm familiar with much of the culture. Furthermore, I am of the same religion as more than 90% of Italy's inhabitants (even if they don't really practice) and so, it just feels like home.
I think it's very important that we acknowledge are biases so that we can learn how to expand our horizons. If we do not acknowledge that we are looking at things from only one point of view, we risk missing out on some beautiful experiences whether it be witnessing a call to prayer or humming along to Immaculate Mary.
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