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 ENSAR
Gaziantep 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 GOODNESS
Bülbülzade 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 REUNITE
Aleppo 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 SOLUTION
Gaziantep 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 TABLE
Our 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.
