The book-analysis session of Bülbülzade Vakfı Education Unit was held on Friday, 31 October at the Zade Life Hotel conference hall, focusing on the book by former President of Turkey’s Religious Affairs, Ali Bardakoğlu, entitled “Rethinking Islam in the Triangle of Text, History and Society”. The event was moderated by İbrahim Kutlu Özmantar, and the author participated online. In addition to the foundation’s volunteers, many book-lovers attended the program with great interest.In his remarks, Ali Bardakoğlu explained that in his work he examines in detail the issues to be taken into account in the approach to Islam, along with the methods that may be followed in this process and the conceptual framework on which the style of thought is based. He stated: “Islam is the last religion sent by God, and being a Muslim is our endeavour to live, apply and reflect it into our life. Therefore our Muslimness cannot be identical with, nor fully representative of, the Islam sent by God. None of us can be. Each of us is human, and with our own effort and understanding we have our own notion of being a Muslim and our own life. Sometimes we believe but cannot act. I wish we could apply everything we believe. Sometimes we know something is right but our will is weak. Religion and the Qur’an are not a book of information, they are a book of consciousness. That is, they load upon us the will, the awareness, the insight and the responsibility to reflect what we know into life.”Bardakoğlu noted that the Qur’an was revealed in its time to say what needed to be said about religion in a proper, fitting and understandable way. He said: “The Qur’an’s main subject is our exalted Lord, getting to know Him, knowing our fundamental duty towards Him, feeling gratitude, giving thanks, and behaving in the world in a manner worthy of being a good human being, being the Khalīfah of Allah whom He entrusted with the responsibility, the consciousness of that quality. The Qur’an arrived as a form of address but it was a voice emerging from within history. And it reminded of the past prophets, reminded of the mistakes people made. What are the issues most often addressed in the Qur’an? The areas where people most often err and for which they are accountable.”He emphasised that the Qur’an treats every event with its metaphysical dimension and the connection with God. He said: “The falling of rain, the thunder of the skies, the fruit-bearing of trees are not the Qur’an’s subject per se. But it speaks of those. ‘See the blessings of Allah on the earth, recognise them. Do not wander aimlessly on the earth. Open your eyes a little, open your heart-eye. Know the value of having been given so many blessings, then thank Allah, feel gratitude towards Him. Because we have two fundamental duties towards Allah. One: recognition, gnosis. Two: thanksgiving, gratitude. The worship we perform, the prayers we conduct, the recitations of al-hamdu are the responses to our gratitude and thankfulness towards Allah.” The book analysis programme ended after the Q & A session, with questions from participants and evaluations.After the session, moderator İbrahim Kutlu Özmantar said that the book touches upon very important points — noting, “In our teacher’s book it is said that law can be used as a method, and the essential thing for the civilisational actor is that the chosen customary or civil law rule does not conflict with the main principles of Islam. And while explaining this he gives examples from Ottoman law. He says, ‘Law is minimal ethics’. Meaning: actually what law aims to do is to fill the gaps left by ethics. The main thing is ethics.” And with the questions posed by participants and the evaluations made, the book analysis concluded.

Hello, I’m Elif Özge. As part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Volunteering Project, I volunteered in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a month through the Bülbülzade Foundation. This was my first ESC experience, and having this journey with EMMAUS—one of the most established and impactful NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina—was both inspiring and a great opportunity for me.For a month, I volunteered at the Duje Rehabilitation Center located in the Klokotnica village of the Doboj Istok region. Every day, I joined the doctor on rounds, accompanied adult therapy sessions, spent time in children’s physiotherapy rooms, and helped pack meals prepared for those in need. I also worked alongside the center’s tailor, where I learned how to use a sewing machine—and I gained so much throughout this process.It was the first time in my life that I used a sewing machine, and I truly enjoyed it. Using the machine made me feel good; that sense of focus and creation was really fulfilling. I’m even considering making sewing a hobby in the future. During this month, I experienced many things for the first time.I stepped inside a greenhouse for the first time and picked cucumbers with my own hands. I went to a boxing match for the first time. I even wore a beekeeping suit for the first time—just being inside that suit was a unique experience in itself. Each of these moments taught me something new and helped me get to know myself better.Getting to know a new culture and language, making Bosnian friends, stepping out of my comfort zone to push my personal boundaries, and realizing that volunteering has become a turning point in my life—all of this not only gave me confidence but also taught me to see the world through a braver, more hopeful, and more meaningful lens.This experience has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I hope it inspires everyone who dreams of volunteering.

Nurdağı District Governor Nurullah Erciyes, together with his esteemed wife Fatma Zehra Erciyes and Nurdağı District Director of National Education Musa Yıldırım, visited the Sewing Workshops of the Bülbülzade Foundation in the earthquake-affected region on Monday, October 27.During the visit, Zemzem Çetin, the Bülbülzade Foundation Earthquake Region Coordinator, provided information about the ongoing handicraft and sewing workshop activities in the earthquake zone.“We extend our gratitude and thanks to them for their kind visit and interest.”

Organized by Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University, Gaziantep Forum 2 was held this year under the theme “Where is the Islamic World Heading? Perspectives for a Strong Future.” The forum featured significant ideas, intellectual discussions, and comprehensive evaluations on the future of the Islamic world and the role of civil society.At the end of the forum, national and international non-governmental organizations operating in Gaziantep came together with Muslim intellectuals from different parts of the world to hold a Civil Society Session. The session was carried out with the participation of numerous NGOs under the umbrella of the Gaziantep Volunteer Organizations Platform (Gönül-Kur). Current developments on the agenda of Turkey and the world were discussed during the session.One of the speakers, Dr. Waddah Khanfar, President of the Sharq Forum, drew attention to the role of youth in the new world order. Stating that he has been involved in projects in more than 60 countries, Dr. Khanfar said, “Young people should not only be the subjects of ongoing efforts but also the actors shaping the future. Opening doors for them and contributing to their productivity is the foundation of a strong Islamic world.”Turgay Aldemir, President of the Bülbülzade Foundation, attended the session on behalf of his foundation. Emphasizing the importance of addressing the forum’s theme through civil society organizations, Aldemir said, “The world is undergoing major changes in a short period. Civil society organizations must adapt to this change, renew themselves, and create new and qualified areas of work.”President Aldemir also stressed the need to move away from a constantly problem-oriented perspective and instead focus on capacity-building and future-shaping initiatives in the new global order.

The regular meetings held with the participation of representatives from the Bülbülzade Foundation, the Migration Coordination Unit, BEKAM, the Gaziantep Syrian Community, the Migrant Services Center, and Fecr Radio continue.During the meeting held at the foundation center, general evaluations were made regarding the Anadolu Cultural Centers, which have been operating in northern Syria—particularly in Azez, Afrin, Jarabulus, and Al-Bab—since 2019. Poet Ahmet Kot and businessman Mahmut Farjad also attended the meeting. Detailed information was provided about the Aleppo Anadolu Cultural Center, whose construction has been completed and is planned to open soon. In addition, general information was shared about the current status of the sports facility project planned to be built in Damascus. Finally, consultations were held on the official infrastructure of Fecr Radio, which is planned to be established in Aleppo.Educational programs conducted in the Anadolu Cultural Centers for different age groups and fields were reviewed, and the preparations for the courses and activities carried out in the centers, as well as the students’ development, were evaluated.

Nuh Albayrak, Editor-in-Chief of Star Newspaper, researcher and writer Ahmet Kot, and journalist-writer Ekrem Kızıltaş visited the Bülbülzade Foundation. During the visit, they met with the foundation’s president, Turgay Aldemir, and the board members.During the meeting, information was shared about the educational, sports, cultural, artistic, and academic activities carried out by the Bülbülzade Foundation in Gaziantep, as well as the initiatives implemented in the Nurdağı and İslahiye regions since the first days of the earthquake. In addition, information was provided about the foundation’s work in the field of migration, the Anatolian Cultural Centers, and the Bülbülzade Foundation Liberation Forest. At the end of the visit, the guests were presented with printed works published by the foundation.

Organized by Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University, the Gaziantep Forum II was held this year under the theme “Where is the Islamic World Headed? – Perspective for a Strong Future.” The Chairman of the Board of the Bülbülzade Foundation, Turgay Aldemir, and the foundation’s management also attended the event.Held at the Şahinbey Congress and Art Center, the forum addressed current issues, future vision, and the global role of the Islamic world. The event was attended by Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality Zehra Ünal, Şahinbey Mayor Mehmet Tahmazoğlu, GİBTÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Şehmus Demir, President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, former Chief Ombudsman Şeref Malkoç, President of the Turkish National Agency İlker Astarcı, TÜGVA President İbrahim Beşinci, as well as academics, researchers, civil society representatives, and various stakeholders from around the world.The program began with the opening speech by GİBTÜ faculty member Prof. Dr. Mahsum Aytepe and continued with the screening of the “Gaziantep Forum II Promotional Film” prepared by the Middle East Media Communication Center.The forum featured three main sessions, four workshops, and one major workshop. The main sessions shaped the general framework of the forum: “Has the Global System Lost Its Legitimacy?”, which questioned the moral and political legitimacy of the global order; “Palestine: From Civilizational Crisis to Moral Compass”, which evaluated the Palestinian issue from the perspective of civilization and morality; and “From Division to Unity: Is a Model Possible for the Islamic World?”, which explored the pursuit of unity within the Islamic world.In the workshop sessions, discussions focused on the root causes of political, economic, and cultural crises in “The Crisis of the Global System: Diagnosis and Causes”; the effects of global power balances on the Islamic geography in “The Impact of the Global System on Islamic Geopolitics”; the potential of Islamic thought to address contemporary human problems in “The Capacity of Islamic Thought to Encompass Humanity’s Challenges”; and the question of how to construct a sense of ummah consciousness in a multipolar world in “How Can Ummah Consciousness Be Built in a Multipolar World?”. All workshops emphasized solidarity and collective wisdom.The closing section of the forum, titled “Grand Workshop – The Strategic Future of the Islamic World in the Global Order,” presented an overall evaluation of the three-day sessions. Participants reached a consensus on the need to draw up a moral, intellectual, and strategic roadmap for the future of the Islamic world.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Damascus, Burhan Köroğlu, and Member of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policies Board, Prof. Dr. Muhittin Ataman, visited the Bülbülzade Foundation. During the visit, Foundation President Turgay Aldemir met with the foundation’s board and organization members.During the meeting, discussions were held regarding the current situation in Syria. Information was provided on the activities carried out by the Bülbülzade Foundation to date concerning Syria and migration, as well as on the Anadolu Cultural Centers in Azez, Afrin, Al-Bab, and Jarabulus. In addition, details were shared about the Joint Future Meetings, consultations with opinion leaders, Civil Communication and Coordination Meetings, and the Aleppo Liaison and Advisory Office.Information was also shared about the educational, cultural, artistic, and academic activities carried out by the Bülbülzade Foundation in Gaziantep, as well as its ongoing efforts in the Nurdağı and Islahiye regions since the first day of the earthquake. The meeting also included evaluations regarding discussions on migration held in Damascus, the recently completed Aleppo Anadolu Cultural Center, and the sports project planned to be implemented in Damascus.

BEKAM President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, President of the Syrian Community in Gaziantep Mustafa Al Hussein, Bülbülzade Foundation Foreign Relations Unit member Ali Akbaba, and their accompanying delegation carried out a comprehensive working visit to the city of Damascus in Syria. Within the scope of the visit, various official meetings were held, and field inspections were conducted.The delegation first met with Syria’s Deputy Minister of Administrative Development, Jabir Ismail. During the meeting, the details of a general protocol planned with the Ministry of Development were discussed. Jabir Ismail provided information about the commission established to investigate missing persons in Syria. Following the meeting, the delegation held consultations with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the current situation in Syria.The delegation then visited Dr. Muhammad Kurdiya, Vice President of the Private University of Damascus. As part of the visit, the main campus, provincial campuses, and private dormitories of the university were inspected on-site. Information was also received regarding the university’s academic activities. Dr. Muhammad Kurdiya stated that the Private University of Damascus is open to academic collaborations and ready to provide the necessary support.The delegation also visited Ahmad Al Jaffal, Director of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Social Activities of the Damascus Governorate. During the visit, the details of a planned project to strengthen the sports center facilities in cooperation with the Muhafaza Sports Club of the Damascus Governorate were discussed.Meetings were also held with Syrian and Saudi businessman Sheikh Abdulmuhsin Al Raken Bushaban and Syrian businessman Louay Al Aska. During the meeting, experiences of the Bülbülzade Foundation in the fields of culture, arts, and sports were shared. Possible areas of cooperation were evaluated for the soon-to-be-opened Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center.Finally, the Bülbülzade Foundation delegation visited the preliminary rounds of the National Modern Archery Tournament. During the visit, discussions were held about the foundation's activities in sports, including both traditional and modern archery. Following the visit, success was wished to the teams participating in the tournament.