Turgay Aldemir, Chairman of the Bülbülzade Foundation; Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, Chairman of BEKAM; and Mustafa Alhüseyin, Chairman of the Syrian Community, paid a visit to Ibrahim Ibrahim, Head of the Political Bureau of Aleppo of the Syrian Arab Republic.After a long and painful period, Syria is passing through a critical threshold in its search for recovery and stability. Alongside the establishment of security on the ground, the Syrian Arab Republic’s efforts to consolidate control across the country represent not only a military achievement but also the reconstruction of social, cultural, and economic life. Especially the recent developments east of the Euphrates and the calm achieved in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maksoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods present a hopeful picture for the local population.Within this positive atmosphere, the delegation consisting of Bülbülzade Foundation Chairman Turgay Aldemir, BEKAM Chairman Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, and Syrian Community Chairman Mustafa Alhüseyin visited Ibrahim Ibrahim, Head of the Political Bureau of Aleppo of the Syrian Arab Republic, at his office and conveyed their congratulations for the positive developments.A PUBLISHING HOUSE AND RADIO STATION TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ALEPPODuring the meeting, where visionary projects for the upcoming period were discussed, many important topics were addressed. The delegation briefed Ibrahim on the Anatolian Cultural Centers planned by the Bülbülzade Foundation in cooperation with TİKA and YTB in Azez, Afrin, Al-Bab, Jarablus, and Aleppo, as well as the Traditional Sports initiative to be carried out in Damascus with Nadi Muhafaza. Emphasizing their desire to transfer the logistical and humanitarian aid experience gained in Gaziantep to Aleppo, the delegation exchanged views on identifying a suitable location for a humanitarian aid center to be established there. Furthermore, preparations being carried out with YTB and TİKA for the establishment of a publishing house and a radio station that will invigorate Aleppo’s educational and cultural life were conveyed to Ibrahim. Details regarding the park landscaping project to be implemented by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in Aleppo were also discussed.At the end of the meeting, it was emphasized that hearts beating beyond borders must beat together for a common future. The delegation underlined that Syria’s success is Türkiye’s success and stated that they will continue to work together at all times to ensure lasting stability in the Bilad al-Sham region.

Hayata Dokun Yetim Derneği organized an informational seminar on the Vocational Education Center (MESEM) for orphaned children and their mothers. During the seminar, mothers had the opportunity to ask experts about issues they were curious about regarding MESEM.Every family undoubtedly dreams of a good, beautiful, successful, happy, and healthy future for their child. To this end, they mobilize all their material and moral resources to the best of their ability. However, sometimes families may overlook evaluating each child according to their own potential. They may place intense pressure on children to achieve academic success. Yet every child has their own unique area of strength: some in music, some in manual skills, and others in mechanics. Revealing these talents is the responsibility of both families and teachers.Should My Child Go to University?Hayata Dokun Yetim Derneği, operating under the umbrella of Bülbülzade Foundation, took an important step by organizing a seminar that created significant awareness among families. Orphaned children and their mothers were thoroughly informed about MESEM (Vocational Education Center), which was included in Türkiye’s formal education system following a decision taken in 2016. Hearing frequent concerns from mothers such as “My child must definitely go to university,” the association’s administrators introduced the MESEM model to families as an alternative to university departments with low success rankings and limited employment opportunities after graduation. Instead, MESEM offers young people the chance to acquire a profession directly. Mothers attending the seminar began asking themselves the question, “Should I insist that my child go to university?”All Questions Were AnsweredDuring the seminar held at Bülbülzade Foundation, the critical role of MESEM within Türkiye’s vocational education reform was emphasized. Experts highlighted that young people who enter working life after completing the standard 12-year education often experience adaptation problems, whereas a young person who starts working at the age of 15 through MESEM becomes a fully equipped master craftsman by the age of 18.The seminar also featured speakers Turgut Öztürk, Burak Özay, and Atilla Yunus Hamallar, who have both practical and theoretical experience with MESEM, and who answered questions from families.It was emphasized that Hayata Dokun Derneği, true to its name, touches lives and brings about positive development in the lives it reaches. Families were informed that such informational seminars would be repeated throughout the year, and the program concluded with thanks to the guests.

“Muhajirs: True Stories of Migration,” which presents the real-life stories of Syrian refugees, was analyzed at Bülbülzade Foundation by the Anatolian Students’ Association.My Homeland, My HomelandSplendor, beauty, dignity, and joy are upon your hills.Life, salvation, happiness, and hope lie in your love, in your passion.Will I see you safe and sound, prosperous, honorable, and exalted?Will I see you secure, abundant, successful, magnificent?Will I see you elevated?Will I witness your ascent, your reaching that distant shining star?One year has passed since the Syrian Revolution. We witnessed the liberation of a people live on televisions, radios, newspapers, streets, and squares. Throughout the 14-year war, the Syrian people endured immense suffering. Bülbülzade Foundation, which never left their side or abandoned them for a single moment, considered it a duty to remain on the ground from the very first day of the war. With great effort and dedication, it carried out projects, activities, and initiatives. Alongside these efforts, it also maintained an extensive publishing program, including the translation of Turkish books into Arabic, the publication of reference works, the transformation of workshops, seminars, and symposium outputs into written sources, and the preparation of social cohesion guides. It contributed to the production of films and prepared and broadcast documentaries.HOPE ALWAYS EXISTS ALONGSIDE PAINOne of the most significant of these efforts is undoubtedly “Muhajirs: True Stories of Migration,” published under the Tire Kitap label, which conveys the harrowing realities of migration through real-life stories. Also produced as a documentary and broadcast on TRT under the title “Muhajir,” Muhajirs was once again discussed today at a book analysis program organized by Gaziantep University’s Anatolian Students’ Association under the roof of our foundation. The stories of Syrians whose lives were scarred by deep, hard-to-heal wounds of war echoed once more in the foundation’s halls. A painful reckoning of 14 years was made, losses were commemorated, and prayers were offered for those who lost their lives in this war. Alongside pain, hope was always present. Seeds of hope were sown for the rebirth of a devastated country and its afflicted people.41 PENS, 43 HEROESThere are no winners in war. Indeed, the Syrian war had no winner either. In its aftermath, millions of Syrians were forced into migration. Not knowing where to go, they sought only to save their lives, leaving behind the Syria they loved so dearly. While some were able to return to their homeland after the revolution, millions of Syrians today remain scattered across many parts of the world.Muhajirs focuses on the true heroes of this forced migration. In this documentary-style work, we read 43 real-life stories penned by 41 writers. Stories that begin in Aleppo, Damascus, and Daraa, and continue in Gaziantep, Hatay, and Şanlıurfa… The book brings together the heart-wrenching stories of migrants striving to cling to life after enduring unbearable suffering. Some texts are written professionally, while others are written straight from the heart. During the analysis program, all these texts were re-evaluated from today’s perspective. How the book dispelled false perceptions about Syrian refugees, the criticism it received from literary circles, the current situations of the protagonists, and the fate of those who returned to Syria and those who remained were among the main topics discussed.The analysis program examining the stories and heroes of the book concluded with wishes that such suffering will never again be experienced in human history, regardless of nationality, race, or belief.To examine Muhajirs: True Stories of Migration in detail and obtain a copy, click here.To watch the Muhajir documentary, click here.

Bülbülzade Foundation hosted the President of the Turkish National Agency, İlker Astarcı. The “Hasbihal” program held last evening at the foundation center took place with the participation of members of the Anatolian Student Union, students, and many volunteers.The Hasbihal program began in a sincere atmosphere that brought together foundation administrators and young students. During the meeting, current issues were discussed from a broad perspective. President of the Turkish National Agency İlker Astarcı shared evaluations on the opportunities and projects offered by the agency for young people. Touching upon the transformation the agency has undergone over a seven-year period, Astarcı stated that the number of countries included in the program at the international level has increased every year and noted that Syria will also be added to these countries in the coming period. Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir and İlker Astarcı sincerely answered the questions posed by the students, conducting an interactive question-and-answer session. Along with the exchange of information, the conversation—energized by the students—also included enjoyable and entertaining moments from time to time.THE FOUNDATION’S ECOSYSTEM WAS INTRODUCEDFollowing the meeting, İlker Astarcı was given a tour of the foundation building in order to present the complex structure and activities carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation on site. Information was provided about the works of Şafak and Fecr Radio studios, the Middle East Media Communication Center, and Katre Art and Science Center. The İstikrar Sports Center was visited, and the opportunities it offers to young people were explained. The general functioning of the foundation building and other administrative units were introduced, and a detailed presentation was made regarding the foundation’s ecosystem.This meaningful gathering concluded with Turgay Aldemir presenting İlker Astarcı with a plaque and a book set consisting of the foundation’s publications.

Reşit Baştuğ, Director of Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction at the Turkish Red Crescent, Duhan Karaca, Manager of Disaster Drills and Partnerships, and Onur Beyazyeşil, Adana Regional Disaster Management Director, paid an official visit to Bülbülzade Foundation Chairman of the Board, Turgay Aldemir.The meeting, which took place at the foundation’s headquarters and was highly productive, was also attended by Bülbülzade Foundation Secretary General Adem Er, General Manager Zeynel Kaplan, and Earthquake Region Coordinator Zemzem Çetin. The main agenda items of the meeting included the current situation in the earthquake-affected region, sustainable social aid activities, and the development of institutional response mechanisms for potential disasters. Information was also shared regarding the “National Coordination of Nutrition Services in Disasters,” and details were discussed concerning the foundation’s potential accreditation efforts in this field.At the end of the visit, the critical importance of sharing experience in the field of humanitarian aid and strengthening inter-institutional cooperation in enhancing societal resilience was emphasized. Turgay Aldemir expressed his gratitude to the Turkish Red Crescent delegation for their kind visit and their dedicated cooperation in field operations.

Gaziantep University Anatolian Student Community organized a special iftar program at Pusula Kitap & Kahve on the Night of Isra and Mi‘raj, with the aim of preparing our hearts for the spiritual atmosphere of the month of Ramadan.We are experiencing the spiritual peace of commemorating the Night of Isra and Mi‘raj, the anniversary of the sacred journey during which our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa and then ascended to the heavens. For us, this blessed night signifies purification, spiritual elevation, and attaining divine glad tidings, and it also stands as one of the most important milestones before Ramadan. With the intention of once again remembering prayer—entrusted to us as a gift of the miracle of Mi‘raj—and preparing our hearts for Ramadan, Gaziantep University Anatolian Student Community held a special iftar program for this blessed night. The program was honored by the attendance of Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, and was joined by many university students.This meaningful iftar gathering at Pusula Kitap & Kahve became a sincere meeting where we stepped away from exam stress and the rush of daily life, allowing our souls to find rest. Taking refuge in the glad tidings of our Prophet (peace be upon him), “The supplication of a fasting person at the time of iftar is not rejected,” we shared not only food at our table, but also fellowship and brotherhood.“O Allah! Bless the months of Rajab and Sha‘ban for us, and allow us to reach Ramadan…”