Hi,Muslimwoman,again "thanks" for the post and I have Pathless to thank for both recommending and giving me instructions how to implement the Avatar!
The info about the Sufis was interesting-I had always seen them as the more "mystical" side of Islam,in the same way that the Kabbalah is for Judaism and Saint Theresa/Meister Eckhart are for Christianity.
As I've said,I've been to Cairo & environs,also Jordan(Dead Sea & Petra)and now Istanbul....Istanbul surprised me-I had been led to believe that it(Turkey) was largely secular after the influence of Ataturk,but of course there were lots of ladies in traditional Muslim clothing(though not as far as the Burka)
The Hagia Sofia has now been declared secularised and is now a museum,but I did go into the Blue Mosque and it's impossible not to feel a sense of awe!
As for "love".....Now going through a rather unpleasant divorce and at a low ebb with confidence/self-esteem etc.
I've been to a few places in Germany-may I ask where your birthplace was?
P.S.I love your own Avatar! The eyes have it....Please excuse my profound ignorance,but is that the Arabic word for the name of Allah on the lady's forehead?