(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Dafa made its first appearance in the Middle East in1997. More and more people have begun to learn the practice, and local media cover practitioners' events in introducing the practice and expose Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s brutal persecution.

Practitioners in Turkey hold exercise demonstration before the coming of ninth World Falun Dafa Day on May 13, 2008

On May 13, 2009, Falun Gong practitioners in Israel celebrate the seventeenth anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introdcution

­Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced in more than 100 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Since the start of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.

The first Middle East Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference

On October 24, 2009, the first Falun Dafa experience sharing conference was held in Ankara, Turkey. Practitioners from eight countries including Turkey, Iran, UAE, and Israel participated. More than ten practitioners shared their experiences onstage. The following is a review of the Falun Dafa's spread in Middle East.

Falun Dafa Arrives in the Middle East

In 1997, Falun Dafa was introduced in Israel. Since then, the number of people practicing Falun Gong has increased continuously. There are practice sites in each major city. In Turkey, many people also practice Falun Gong.

Zhuan Falun in Hebrew and Turkish published

From September 30 to October 5, 2009, Falun Gong practitioners in Israel held six days of events including an experience sharing conference and march. Zhuan Falun in Hebrew was officially released. On May 29, 2009, Zhuan Falun in Turkish was officially published and available in bookstores.

Zhuan Falun in Turkish

Falun Dafa in the Middle East

On October 26, 2009, Falun Dafa practitioners in Israel held the fifth Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference in Jerusalem. Fifteen practitioners shared their cultivation experience on stage.

2009 Experience Sharing Conference in Jerusalem

May 2008 Experience Sharing Conference in Mersin, Turkey

On October 3, 2002, Falun Gong practitioners in Israel demonstrate the exercises on a square in Jerusalem

On October 4, 2002, Falun Gong practitioners have a group practice at scenery site beside Dead Sea

In January 2006, Turkey practitioners participate in a local festival

On May 13, 2006, practitioners in Israel gathered Tel Aviv to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

Group practice at seaside

Participating in community event to spread Falun Gong

The annual Grand Parade during Sukkot, a traditional holiday in Israel, was held in Jerusalem on October 2, 2007. Tens of thousands of Israelis from every corner of the nation came to Jerusalem to see the parade. Delegations from many countries came to watch the parade, too. As in past years, Falun Gong practitioners in Israel were invited to participate in the parade.

The Falun Gong procession passing through downtown Jerusalem

On October 15, 2008, Falun Gong practitioners in Israel participated in annual Grand Parade during Sukkot.

On August 20 and 21, 2008, practitioners in Turkey introduce Falun Gong on a square in downtown Istanbul

From January 10 to 22, 2009, International Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition was held in Mersin. Viewers learn Falun Gong in the hall.

On May 9, 2009, practitioners in Turkey held an event in Ankara embassy area to introduce Falun Gong and expose CCP's ten-year persecution

On July 18, 2009, practitioners in Turkey introduced Falun Gong in downtown Ankara. Passers-by paused to watch.

Exposing the Persecution of Falun Gong

On October 5, 2002, practitioners talk about the persecution with Chinese laborers

Introducing Falun Gong at the seaside in Haarertz

On February 3, 2006, International Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition was held in Be'er-Sheva, the largest city in south Israel.

On June 2, 2006, practitioners in Israel gathered in Nazareth to introduce Falun Gong during a local festival

On July 20, 2009, practitioners in Turkey held a Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition on Seashore Boulevard in Mersin to expose the brutality of the persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP.

On August 15, 2009, a group of Turkish Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in Istanbul's famous Taksim Square to expose the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong. They called on the Turkish people to help to put an end to the decade-long brutal persecution.

Signing the petition in support of practitioners' resistance to the persecution

Signing petition in support of practitioners' resistance to the persecution

Mainstream media pay attention to the Persecution of Falun Gong

Israeli newspaper interviews Falun Gong practitioners for World Falun Dafa Day in 2002

On July 20 2006, Israeli Falun Gong practitioners held an anti-torture exhibit and photo exhibit on Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. Practitioners collected several hundred signatures protesting the persecution.

Signing petition to protest the persecution

During the Israel Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference in October 2002, Maariv, one of the most influential newspapers in Israel, interviewed a practitioner from Australia, Ms. Dai Zhizhen and her daughter Fadu. Later, using two whole pages, the newspaper reported the story of Dai's family, describing how cultivating Falun Dafa had benefited the family and how the persecution caused the deaths of Ms. Dai's husband and her father-in-law. The article also provided some introduction to Falun Dafa.

From January 10 to 22, 2009, the Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition was held in Mersin, a southern Turkish city. The exhibition was welcomed by local people and caught the attention of mainstream media. Local newspapers, magazine and TV stations covered the event before and during the event.

The newspaper Liberty reports about the exhibition

New South Daily introduced Falun Gong in detail

On August 15, 2009, practitioners in Turkey had a rally in downtown Istanbul. Many local media outlets came to cover the event