Hayata Dokun Yetim Derneği (HDYD), as part of Bülbülzade Vakfı's orphan initiatives, organized a day-long educational and social program at the Gizem Doğan Yaşayarak Öğrenme Merkezi for young people residing in Gaziantep who receive scholarships.The program began with a breakfast together. HDYD President Yunus Hamallar gave the opening speech. This was followed by a presentation titled “Recognizing Blessings and Giving Thanks” by Fatma Erkan. After the lunch break, Şerif Pak gave an interactive seminar titled “CV Preparation and Counseling” with the participating young people.Throughout the day, camp activities included climbing, archery, and various educational games. The program concluded with a group photo taken after lunch.

The 19th Anatolian Meetings, organized by the Anatolian Federation from August 13-17, 2025, under the theme "Smoking Hearth: The Future of the Family," began with welcoming remarks by Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services.Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş noted that the fertility rate has fallen to 1.48, the lowest rate in Turkey's history, and said, "This figure is well below the population's self-renewal level of 2.1. If effective measures are not taken, it is projected that the median age in our country will rise to 60 by 2100."In his speech at the 19th Anatolian Meetings program, organized by the Anatolian Federation at a hotel in Kızılcahamam under the theme "Smoking Hearth: The Future of the Family," Minister Göktaş stated that the family is one of civilization's most ancient and deeply rooted institutions.Göktaş pointed out that throughout history, the state and nation experienced their most prosperous eras when social consciousness was strongly woven around the family, and therefore, the weakening of the family poses a major threat to the country's stability."THE ROLES OF MOTHERHOOD AND PATERNITY ARE BEING DISREGARDED"Göktaş pointed out that the world is undergoing a period of major change and transformation, continuing: "Multidimensional processes such as globalization, urbanization, and digitalization are profoundly disrupting the structure, functions, and values of the family institution. The rapid spread of urban life and the centralization of technology are reshaping individuals and families. This rapid transformation is weakening traditional family values and bonds, as well as social networks of solidarity. The roles of motherhood and fatherhood are being discredited."Göktaş, emphasizing that digital platforms weaken family communication, said, "In this age, technological advances, digitalization, gender neutralization, and economic, social, and cultural transformations are profoundly shaking the family structure. Lifestyles that prioritize individuality are becoming more widespread, especially among our youth. People are becoming increasingly isolated. Therefore, we must approach strengthening the family and preserving our family values with a strategic reflex." "WE ARE SEEING A SERIOUS DECLINE IN THE YOUNG POPULATION RATE"Göktaş stated that another issue they are working on is demographic change, saying: "We have always been a country proud of its young and dynamic population. However, in recent years, as is the case throughout the world, we have seen a significant decline in the youth population in our country. There is a similar decline in birth rates. We have fallen to 1.48 in the fertility rate, the lowest in our country's history. This figure is well below the population's renewal level of 2.1. If effective measures are not taken, the median age in our country is projected to rise to 60 by 2100. This means half of the population will be 60 or older. Similar declines are currently causing serious population problems in other countries. If we don't take action now, we will inevitably face a similar situation. Because the population issue is not just a matter of the number of children a family has. It is a national security issue that affects everything from economic growth to social structure, from production to health."Göktaş emphasized that the decline in marriages, the rise in divorce rates, and the increasing prevalence of single-parent families could push the country to a point where it's difficult to recover. He said: "This issue, in the words of our President, 'goes beyond a demographic challenge and poses an existential threat to the future of our nation.' This entire picture has shown us one thing: protecting the family is the only way to secure our future. Therefore, with the approval of our President, we declared 2025 the 'Year of the Family.' We wanted to raise nationwide awareness of the threats facing the family. Our goal is not only to support population growth but also to strengthen the concept of family in every aspect. In these seven months, we organized 8,394 events across the country. We conducted training, seminars, media campaigns, and fieldwork." Göktaş stated that they are carrying out comprehensive work to protect and strengthen the family structure, and that incentives such as maternity benefits and child support, as well as marriage loans for young people, announced as part of the "Year of the Family" are examples of this."WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO RECONCILE WORK AND FAMILY LIFE"Minister Göktaş emphasized that the "Vision Document and Action Plan for the Protection and Strengthening of the Family," launched last year on May 15th, International Family Day, serves as a roadmap for the Ministry of Family Affairs. He stated that this plan is of particular importance as it is the first action plan to place the family at the center.Göktaş also noted that they have established the Population Policies Board, chaired by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, to address population policies with a holistic approach. He also stated that they have established the Family Institute to conduct research that will inform social policies.Göktaş stated that they are also taking steps to reconcile work and family life, and that the regulation enacted last month regarding the right of civil servants to work part-time is the latest example of this. Göktaş stated that Türkiye has become an exemplary country in the international arena with its family-focused social policies. He added that they held the International Family Forum on May 22-23, and with ministers and high-level participants from 26 countries, they discussed solutions that will strengthen the family against rising threats on a global scale. Göktaş emphasized that the vision presented at the forum will be an inspiration not only for Turkey but also for all countries that prioritize family and population protection, stating:"The vision outlined by our President at the closing of the forum, declaring the 2026-2035 period the 'Decade of Family and Population,' is a clear demonstration of our country's determination and leadership in this area. Over the next 10 years, we will work to strengthen our demographic resilience and increase intergenerational solidarity. We embarked on this journey with the motto 'Our family is our future.' The Anatolian Gatherings held today are a valuable part of this effort. In this sense, I would like to reiterate that we see this gathering as a major family gathering.""CONCERNING THE FAMILY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GAIN OF THIS PROCESS"Turgay Aldemir, President of the Anatolian Federation, stated that humans are not individual beings; they exist within their environment and geography, and are shaped accordingly.Aldemir, stating that a person acquires their first social experience within their family, said, "Many of the crises currently experienced by humanity are actually problems stemming from the neglected lack of love, affection, trust, and peace within the family." Aldemir announced that the symposium would address the role of the family, the challenges it faces, and its future, saying, "Strengthening the family institution and addressing it in a multifaceted manner is the most important gain of this process. Therefore, our entire strategy is to strengthen this issue and take it to a further level."Following the speeches, Anatolian Federation President Turgay Aldemir presented Minister Göktaş with gifts made by women working in workshops in the earthquake zone.

The 19th Anatolia Meetings, organized by the Anatolia Federation between August 13 and 17, 2025, under the theme “Smoking Fireplace, the Future of the Family,” began with an opening seminar by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez.In his opening remarks, Mehmet Görmez referred to the scope of the family in the Quran, saying, "The verses of the Quran concerning women, family, and spouses are extremely comprehensive. These verses reveal a legal understanding of depth and fairness unseen in any legal system. In the Quran, we pray, 'Our Lord, make us leaders of the righteous.' This reminds us that if the family does not protect us, we cannot protect the family either."“WE MUST LOOK TO THE FUTURE, TO THE FUTURE. BECAUSE THOSE WHO LOSE THIS LIGHT CANNOT SEE AHEAD AND LOSE THEIR FUTURE.”Mehmet Görmez said, “So, will humanity protect the family, or will the family protect humanity? Let us not forget that all of humanity began with a family; and that was in the place we call paradise. The family is an effort to turn the home we live in into paradise. Because the family is an institution created by Allah.”“THE FAMILY IS OUR EXISTENCE BETWEEN MOTHER AND UMMAH.”Emphasizing that the family is not just an institution where children are born, Mehmet Görmez said, "The real issue is how we will build the spirit of the family. Today, we must talk about rebuilding the spirit of the family. All moral systems agree on the importance and existence of the family. The family is our existence between mother and community.”“FAMILY AND CIVILIZATION EXIST TOGETHER, THEY FALL TOGETHER.”Referring to the fact that family and civilization are each other's reason for existence, Mehmet Görmez said, “Family and civilization exist together, and they fall together. The Turkish word ”aile“ and the Arabic words ”al“ and ”ehil“ are different. The Quran does not directly say ”family“; it encompasses broader relationships with the concepts of ‘al’ and ”ehil." Islam views the family from a much more universal perspective than all other religions.“ Görmez also stated that, according to the Quran, the family is a law of existence: ”The first is the biological law of existence, which applies to animals and all living beings. The second is the law of our moral existence; it is ingrained in our nature. The family is also a law of mercy, a law of chastity and modesty; it is an institution that protects the law of all humanity."“THE ISLAMIC UMMAH CAN UNITE AGAINST ALL EVIL FORCES IN THE WORLD AND ACT AS ONE FAMILY.”Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez, who stated that Darwin changed the definition of human creation, said, "Humanism emerged for a human-centered world order; when that was not enough, posthumanism came to the fore. With Darwin, the definition of human creation was changed, and the characteristic of humans being the center of the world was shaken. Nevertheless, I believe that the Islamic ummah can unite against all the evil forces of the world and act as one family.”Following the speech, a plaque was presented to Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez by Gazi Kılıçparlar, a member of the Anatolia Federation Board of Directors. Additionally, Şükriye Kahya, President of the North Macedonia Alaca Association, presented a gift to Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez in commemoration of his 40th anniversary.

The 19th Anatolia Meetings, organized by the Anatolia Federation between August 13 and 17, 2025, with the theme “The Future of the Family,” began with welcoming speeches.The first day of the Anatolia Gatherings began with opening speeches. The program continued with a recitation from the Quran, followed by opening speeches on the theme of “The Future of the Family.” The first speech was delivered by Turgay Aldemir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Anatolia Federation. This was followed by an opening speech by Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services.Turgay Aldemir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Anatolia Federation, who delivered the opening speech, stated, “We are striving to put the motto ‘Keep the people alive so that the state may live’ into practice in a concrete and effective manner. We are here to reveal the reason for human existence in the world through the most appropriate practices and to preserve and develop our social values.” He also emphasized that we must fulfill our responsibilities as a society, saying, “Unfortunately, today there are forces that seek to undermine our values and shake the foundations of the family and humanity. We cannot remain spectators in such a process. Instead of merely feeling sorry, we must roll up our sleeves and fulfill our responsibilities. Our goal is to ensure the safety of individuals and build a society bound by solidarity.”“OVERCOMING CHALLENGES WITH ANALYTICAL MIND AND STRONG WILL IS NOT A CHOICE FOR US, BUT A NECESSITY.”Emphasizing that they have carried out family-centered work, President Aldemir said, "We have worked hard to keep families together, carry hope for the future, and protect future generations. However, we believe that building an independent society is not only possible by criticizing evil, but also by reminding people more often of goodness, kindness, and beauty. As Muslims, we choose to focus on goodness rather than evil.”“A STRONG FAMILY IS THE FOUNDATION OF A STRONG SOCIETY.”Expressing that they have to fight harder for every value attributed to the family, Turgay Aldemir said, "As a civil society organization, we have two important tasks: to keep people's consciences alive and to keep social awareness alive. For this reason, in addition to our general programs, we hold many meetings and make plans behind the scenes. Our aim is to spread the gains obtained here throughout the country and to focus particularly on initiatives targeting young people. Because we believe that a strong family is the foundation of a strong society.”

The Turkish Red Crescent Syria Humanitarian Aid Coordination Office organized a Sphere training in Gaziantep to provide guidance on meeting minimum standards in humanitarian aid interventions.Representatives of non-governmental organizations participated in the training held in Gaziantep. Among the participants was the Bülbülzade Foundation. The training provided information on humanitarian aid efforts to be carried out following crises that deeply affect humanity, such as natural disasters, war, and pandemics. The program, which covered topics such as Sphere introduction, water, sanitation, and hygiene, nutrition, shelter, and assessment, concluded with a closing speech.

As part of the cultural activities of the Bülbülzade Foundation, the Summer School, which began on June 30, 2025, ended with a celebration held on August 1, 2025. Meanwhile, an evaluation meeting was held to discuss summer activities with the participation of relevant units within the foundation.The meeting was attended by the Anatolia Student Union, Secondary Education, Mosaic, Nurdağı-İslâhiye Earthquake Region, Migration, İstikrar Sports Club, Media Unit, Katre Science and Art Center units, and member associations Bilim-Der and Semt-i İbrahimli.During the meeting, the positive impact of social, cultural, artistic, sporting, and nature activities conducted throughout the summer season on students was discussed. The curriculum content implemented by responsible summer schools was evaluated, and data regarding students' interest and engagement levels were shared. Additionally, the performances were evaluated based on the opinions of the relevant units regarding the Summer School Festival.The Summer School was organized by the Anatolian Student Union, Education Teacher Unit, Secondary Education, Mosaic, Character Education at Home (EKE), Islahiye Earthquake Region, Migration, Istikrar Sports Club, Katre Science and Art Center, Bilim-Der, and Semt-i Ibrahimli Association, all of which are part of the Foundation. The summer program, consisting of a total of 64 activities across 23 regions, was carried out in 19 summer schools operating in 10 different regions. Additionally, 19 summer camps were organized in 11 different regions with the participation of children and their families.The programs included courses such as the Quran, Sirah, Etiquette, Basic Religious Knowledge, Philosophy for Children, STEM, Universal Signs, and English through games, as well as supportive activities such as swimming, camping, music, and sports events. At the end of the meeting, the unit coordinators and coordinators were thanked for all the activities carried out.

Within the scope of the ESC51 Volunteering Project carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation, our short-term volunteers continue their activities in the city of Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted by IFS EMMAUS. Operating in the fields of social services and humanitarian aid with a wide impact area, IFS EMMAUS provides a rich environment where our volunteers actively take part in various activities such as food distribution to those in need, educational support for disadvantaged children, social services for the local community, rehabilitation programs, and greenhouse work. At the same time, our volunteers engage in training and experience-based activities that contribute to their personal and career development, gaining a well-rounded learning experience.

As part of the ESC51 Volunteering Project run by the Bülbülzade Foundation, our volunteers from Turkey are continuing their short-term individual volunteering activities in the city of Kalkandelen (Tetova) in North Macedonia. Hosted by CED and Alaca Association, the program involves our volunteers supporting disadvantaged groups in particular through various social and cultural activities such as reading books with children, art and handicraft workshops, and taekwondo courses.

Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, Science Education Culture Research Center (BEKAM) President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, and their delegation paid a visit to Presidential Communications Director Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, President of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) Abdulhadi Turus, and the President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) Abdullah Eren.During the visits, information was provided about the Bülbülzade Foundation's international activities and its humanitarian aid, education, culture, and development work in the field of migration in Syria, and views were exchanged on strengthening mutual cooperation.