Balikli (The Fish) (Halil-ur Rahman) Lake [EN]

According to the legend, the fire turned to water and the woods turned to fish. It was formed as a lake at the exact point where Abraham fell down and the surrounding of the lake was turned into rose gardens. Regarding this legend, even today the fish in the lake are considered as “holly” by the citizens and they’re not allowed to be caught or eaten.

When Abraham -who lived around 2000BC- denied the paganist divinity of The King of Urfa Nimrud Bin Kenan and broke the iconas which were adored by the citizens. Nimrud ordered them “They: ‘If you will do something, burn him and help and serve your Gods’” as mentioned in Holly Qoran/Enblya/Verse:68. There arranged and lit an enormously big fire where there’s Balikli Gol today (commonly called and referred with this name by Urfa citizens because of the fish inside). Abraham was thrown cruelly to the flames from Damlacik mountain where there’s Urfa Fortress currently. When it was commanded by God “And we told: ‘Oh Fire! Be cool and peaceful towards Abraham!’” the fire was cooled down and became peaceful on Abraham.(Holly Qoran/Enbiya/Verse:69) According to the legend, the fire turned to water and the woods turned to fish. It was formed as a lake at the exact point where Abraham fell down and the surrounding of the lake was turned into rose gardens. Regarding this legend, even today the fish in the lake are considered as “holly” by the citizens and they’re not allowed to be caught or eaten.

Source:Info Board