Under the leadership of Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, Consul General in Aleppo Muammer Hakan Cengiz, and Gaziantep provincial directors came together and agreed on a joint strategy for the educational and cultural revival of Syria.We brought together the three pillars of society—public institutions, local governments, and civil society—under the roof of the Bülbülzade Foundation to shape the future of Syria. Hosted by our Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, we gathered with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, Consul General in Aleppo Muammer Hakan Cengiz, the Provincial Mufti, the Provincial Director of National Education, and representatives of our public institutions. At this table, we did not merely hold a meeting; we decided to initiate a revival movement guided by education, culture, art, and religion.WE HAVE BEEN IN THE FIELD SINCE DAY ONEAs the Bülbülzade Foundation, we have never changed our stance since the very first day the war broke out in Syria. We did not only deliver humanitarian aid; we crowned our thousand-year-old brotherhood with a vision of civilization on the ground. For more than ten years, we brought together the vast experience we accumulated in every neighborhood, every camp, and every heart with the strength of our state and local administrations at this table.Through the Anatolian Cultural Centers (AKM) we opened in Jarablus, Azaz, Afrin, Al-Bab and Aleppo, we brought generations emerging from war together with the healing power of art and literature. We provided thousands of trainees with language and arts education, vocational training, social support, and educational seminars. Through the Common Future Meetings, where we brought together the intellectual accumulation of Türkiye and Syria, we directly built that great vision of a “Common Future” against the language of hatred.FULL CONSENSUS FOR SYRIAEspecially in Gaziantep and throughout the country, we mobilized all our resources to ensure access to education for our Syrian brothers and sisters, striving to ensure that not a single child remains out of school. In the field, we shaped the practical infrastructure of revival not only with theoretical projects but also with the educational stations we established, the logistical support networks we created, and the direct relationships we built with local communities.We meticulously carried out neighborhood-based rehabilitation efforts and cultural integration programs to repair the social fabric devastated by the war. During the meeting, together with our Consul General in Aleppo and our administrative authorities, we reached full consensus that the educational and cultural infrastructure is indispensable for Syria to stand on its own feet.By combining the strength of public authority with the flexibility of our foundation, which reaches the capillaries of the field, we are initiating a new era that will make the social revival in the region permanent.IT IS TIME TO REWRITE THE FUTUREEmphasizing that revival is only possible through the reconstruction of hearts, our Foundation President Turgay Aldemir stated:“By uniting the social experience of our municipality and the administrative power of the public sector with the field dynamism of our foundation, we will continue this journey beyond the border until justice, compassion, and peace prevail once again. For us, revival is not only about rebuilding buildings, but also about rebuilding minds and hearts. There is no ‘other’ on these lands. We are Moses, and the people of Syria are Aaron. Together we will raise this ancient geography to its feet again. Now is not the time to complain, but the time to rewrite the future with the language of children and brotherhood.”

In the "We Are at Iftar as a Family" program organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation Children’s Commission, families and children shared the spiritual peace and joy of Ramadan at the same table.Bülbülzade Foundation organized a meaningful iftar program at Zade Life Hotel in order to instill the spiritual atmosphere of the month of Ramadan in children and to strengthen family ties. The event, organized by the Children’s Commission (Children’s Studies Team), was held with intense participation. The program started with a touching recitation of the Holy Qur'an. Following the recitation performed by Resul Alnad, all guests experienced the peace of breaking the fast together with the call to the evening prayer.MOMENTS FULL OF LAUGHTERThe Children’s Studies Team, who took the floor at the event, gave information about the educational and development activities they carry out for different age groups. Gülsüm Aşkar, Resul Güngör, Meryem Aşkar, Rukiye Kaplan, Hatice Öztekli and Ertuğrul Mert Ediz, who are part of the team aiming to raise children with both knowledge and ancient values, shared with the families the steps taken for the future of children and the targeted projects. After the iftar, the program continued with activities that the children eagerly awaited. The Hacivat and Karagöz show, which is an indispensable part of the traditional Ramadan culture, gave children moments full of laughter and also introduced our cultural heritage. After the show, with small workshops and educational games set up, children enjoyed learning while having fun together with their peers.

The Earthquake Response Unit of Bülbülzade Foundation brought together earthquake-affected citizens at the same table through an iftar program held in İslahiye. During the evening, where grief and consolation were shared, our prayers were for the lives we lost in the earthquake.The Earthquake Response Unit of Bülbülzade Foundation carried the blessings of Ramadan and the spirit of solidarity to İslahiye, the heart of the earthquake-affected region. Our foundation came together with local residents and set up a dignified table of brotherhood. Speaking at the opening of the program, Bülbülzade Foundation Earthquake Region Coordinator Zemzem Çetin explained the uninterrupted efforts we have carried out since the first day of the earthquake. Emphasizing the importance of international support, Çetin expressed gratitude to Saf Human Aid Association. Highlighting the critical role of solidarity in healing the wounds, Çetin said, “At this table, we share not only our bread but also our common future and our hope.”THANKS TO OUR FOUNDATIONThe program began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, and we raised our hands to the sky not only in gratitude but also to pray for mercy for the citizens we lost in the earthquake. This meaningful gathering, which concluded with a heartfelt unity after the iftar prayer, once again renewed our determination for solidarity in the region. İslahiye Deputy Mayor Ali Gör, who honored our iftar program with his presence, delivered a brief speech of appreciation. Stating that they follow our foundation’s active and solution-oriented efforts in the region with great appreciation, Gör expressed his gratitude on behalf of the people of İslahiye to all volunteers and donors who contributed.As Bülbülzade Foundation, we extend our thanks to our donors who made it possible to build this bridge, to the Saf Human Aid team, and to all the volunteers working tirelessly in the field. We will continue to heal wounds together and share our table.

Our foundation’s traditional iftar program brought together state officials and representatives of civil society at the same table. The iftar, hosted by Zade Life Hotel, was attended by Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, and Aleppo Consul General Muammer Hakan Cengiz.Our traditional iftar program, hosted by Zade Life Hotel—an affiliate of our foundation—turned into an exceptional gathering with the participation of Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, Aleppo Consul General Muammer Hakan Cengiz, and distinguished civil society representatives from all segments of society. In this gathering, we once again rebuilt the spiritual atmosphere offered by the holy month of Ramadan not merely as the sharing of a meal, but as a bridge of brotherhood that transcends borders, a vision of a shared destiny, and a firm will for social solidarity.On this meaningful evening, which once again affirmed Gaziantep’s spirit of ensar (hospitality and solidarity) and its unbreakable ties with Aleppo, we collectively witnessed how the activities we carry out with the principle of “expanding goodness” and “keeping humanity alive” transform into hope across every corner of our geography of the heart. This blessed gathering, held in the serene atmosphere of Zade Life Hotel, stands as a historic signature reflecting the purest form of solidarity and strengthening us in our journey of service that extends from the local to the universal.GAZİANTEP: THE CITY OF ABUNDANCE AND THE SPIRIT OF ENSARGaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, who took the first speech in the program, emphasized that Gaziantep is one of the cities where the culture of Ramadan is lived most vibrantly. Çeber noted that guests coming from major cities such as Ankara and Istanbul recall the spiritual atmosphere of Gaziantep with longing. He also highlighted the Bülbülzade Foundation’s humanitarian aid activities in Syria and its devoted efforts during the earthquake period. Governor Çeber expressed Türkiye’s mission of being the voice of the oppressed with the following words:“As both a state and a nation, we do what befits us; we open our doors and embrace those in need within neighborly relations instead of confining them to camps.”A TIME FOR NEW CONCEPTS AND EXPANDING GOODNESSBülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir reminded in his speech that the month of Ramadan is a time for reflection and pause. Aldemir stated that the world needs a new “science of tools” and solution-oriented conceptual frameworks in order to overcome the chaos it is facing today. He emphasized that the foundation works for the reform of generations and the development of the earth. Referring to the shared destiny of Gaziantep and Aleppo, Aldemir said:“Our geography of the heart has expanded; therefore, we must expand our hearts accordingly. Our aim is not to expand opportunities but to expand goodness.”ALEPPO AND GAZİANTEP REUNITEAleppo Consul General Muammer Hakan Cengiz pointed out the historic importance of the reunion of Aleppo and Gaziantep after a difficult 14-year war period. Cengiz stated that they have felt Gaziantep’s support at every step while rebuilding Turkish presence and institutions in Aleppo. He emphasized that the real struggle begins after the war and that cultural, economic, and social reconstruction requires a long-term effort.Cengiz stated:“I would also like to thank the esteemed President of the Bülbülzade Foundation. From the very first day we set foot in Aleppo, they stood by our side. In the reconstruction of the country, a challenging and demanding struggle that will extend over many years begins in the fields of culture, arts, economy, trade, and social life. Knowing that Gaziantep, the Bülbülzade Foundation, and you valuable people of Gaziantep—our business community, women, and youth—stand with us in this struggle is extremely valuable. Otherwise, overcoming these challenges and rebuilding Syria would not be possible.”THE QUR’AN IS LIFE AND A SOURCE OF SOLUTIONGaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin emphasized knowledge, justice, and merit in her speech. Expressing her appreciation for the Bülbülzade Foundation’s stance and work in the social sphere, Şahin described the foundation’s activities as one of the most successful models of civil society. Drawing attention particularly to the foundation’s productivity in publishing and education, Şahin compared the ability of a civil society organization to produce such comprehensive works to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Istanbul model of 1994.Emphasizing that the foundation acts not only with the aim of physical reconstruction but also with the mission of raising generations, Şahin recalled the words:“While building a city, do not neglect the generation; the generation you neglect will destroy the city you build,” highlighting the importance of the foundation’s human-centered vision.Pointing to the importance of civil society, Şahin said:“The efforts of voluntary organizations such as the Bülbülzade Foundation are the greatest guarantee of our social conscience.”ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CITY GATHERED AT THE SAME TABLEOur traditional iftar gathering brought together all components of our city—from public institutions to civil society, from local administrations to the academic world—around the same table.Representatives from Şahinbey and Şehitkamil District Governorships attended our program. In addition, Gaziantep Provincial Mufti’s Office, the Provincial Directorate of National Education, the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, and the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change were also with us on this meaningful evening.The night was also attended by representatives from Gaziantep University and Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University from the academic community. The Turkish Red Crescent, Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, Gaziantep Chamber of Industry, numerous civil society organizations, and representatives of political parties also shared in our spirit of solidarity.All units of our foundation, who work with great dedication both in our kitchens and in the field, participated intensively in the iftar program, demonstrating one of the finest examples of our institutional solidarity.At the end of the night, handcrafted works produced in workshops established for the rehabilitation of women in the earthquake region were presented to the participants as commemorative gifts.You can access the full text of the speech delivered by our Foundation Chairman, Turgay Aldemir, at the Traditional Bülbülzade Iftar via this link.

Hanifi Özdemir, Vice President of the Gaziantep Branch of the Turkish Disabled Association, and Fatma Taşdemir, Public Relations Manager, visited Turgay Aldemir, President of the Bülbülzade Foundation, and exchanged views on areas of potential cooperation.During the meeting held at our foundation center, the delegation from the Gaziantep Branch of the Turkish Disabled Association came together with our President, Turgay Aldemir. In the meeting, which took place in a sincere and friendly atmosphere, the association’s representatives shared information about their ongoing activities and projects aimed at increasing the participation of individuals with disabilities in social life in Gaziantep. During the visit, emphasis was placed on the contributions that solidarity among civil society organizations can bring to the city, and the importance of sharing institutional experiences was highlighted.The main agenda of the meeting was the potential collaborations planned for the upcoming period. Our determination to act together on social responsibility projects for disadvantaged groups, educational activities, and awareness initiatives was underlined. We expressed that we could stand side by side in every initiative focused on social benefit.We thank the delegation of the Turkish Disabled Association for their kind visit.

Our Foundation Chairman, Turgay Aldemir, together with the accompanying delegation, paid a visit to Mustafa Soykök, who was recently appointed as the Provincial Mufti of Gaziantep, at his office and wished him success in his new position.During the visit, which was also attended by members of our foundation’s board of directors, our Chairman Turgay Aldemir expressed his best wishes for Mufti Mustafa Soykök’s new role and provided information about the educational, social, and cultural activities carried out by our foundation. In the meeting, where the importance of projects that will contribute to the spiritual atmosphere of Gaziantep and the coordination between civil society organizations and public institutions was emphasized, consultations were held on possible areas of cooperation that would strengthen social solidarity.Provincial Mufti Mustafa Soykök expressed his gratitude to Chairman Aldemir and our delegation for their courtesy and emphasized the value of civil society’s support in the spiritual development of the city. The meeting, which continued with mutual expressions of goodwill, concluded with a commemorative photograph taken to mark the occasion.