The October 2025 meeting of the Volunteer Organizations Platform (GÖNÜLKUR) was hosted by the Hoşgör Fatih Foundation for Scientific Research. The meeting, attended by 29 different non-governmental organizations from Gaziantep, also welcomed the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bülbülzade Foundation, Turgay Aldemir.During the meeting, topics related to the upcoming Great Gaza Rally were discussed. Information was also shared about the upcoming forum titled “Gaziantep Forum: Where is the Islamic World Headed?”. In addition, current and general issues on the agenda were discussed and opinions were exchanged.

Hello, I’m Betül. I’m from Gaziantep and currently a second-year student in Textile Technology. At the same time, I’m an athlete; I work as a swimming instructor and I’m also involved in taekwondo.A Journey to Tetova with the ESC51 Volunteering ProjectTogether with three friends, we came to the city of Tetova in North Macedonia as part of the ESC51 (European Solidarity Corps) Volunteering Project, carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM (Science Education Culture Research Center). We volunteered as teachers at the Alaca Association, which was established to keep Turkish culture alive in the region.We tried our best to contribute to the association and to create meaningful work. Although I thought I would struggle at first, the local people were incredibly warm and welcoming.Taekwondo Training for ChildrenDuring the summer school, I taught taekwondo to children from different age groups. Middle school students were more engaged, so the lessons went smoothly, while the primary school groups were sometimes challenging—but overall, it was a lot of fun.I also told them stories and organized fun activities based on those stories. Seeing them listen with interest made me feel so happy. I hope I was able to teach them good values—because they truly taught me so much in return. In this process, I both took on the role of a teacher and built wonderful friendships and bonds.The association members became like older brothers and sisters to me. Each of them has a heart of gold, and they made me feel completely at home. I am so grateful to them.I sincerely thank Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM for giving me the opportunity to live this unforgettable experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

On October 7, 2023, the relentless genocide, oppression, corruption, and destruction began — two years have passed since then, yet the Zionist gangs have not ceased killing women, children, and the elderly. New atrocities have been added to nearly half a century of Zionist oppression.Today, on the anniversary of Zionist brutality and massacre, we see that the peoples of the world have embraced Gaza; the Palestinian resistance has transformed into a global dimension; every conscientious person stands against Zionist imperialism.Humanity first saw the hypocrisy, deceits, and perverse aims of the tyrannical tribe and their patrons. Gaza’s innocence has stripped the Zionists of their masks. Gaza has become a mirror to the collapse of the rotten global order. Gaza’s destruction has revealed the real face of modernity and shown that Zionism’s genocidal tendency is engraved into Israel’s DNA.Israel’s arrogance, savagery, and ingratitude have shown that the global order has been a scourge upon humanity since World War I; and that the greatest of these crises has emerged in Palestine.The destructive Western values of modernity are embodied in Israel. It is the monstrosity in which this global corruption has incarnated.With Gaza’s cry, compassionate and merciful people rise up — opposing the hegemony constructed by the United Nations and the Security Council. They risk their lives, their property, their families, and their bodies to foster a new united-conscience movement. This sacrifice is called the “Great Intifada.”The Great Intifada will not remain confined to Israel. It is the day — the anniversary of October 7 — on which consciences connect, not for the dead, but for the living, wave upon wave, and a global hope is nurtured.Since October 7, we name the devastation in Gaza “creative destruction.” We mark the anniversary of rising from our ashes, of shedding the dust of death, of becoming a hope for humanity and the world. Our word is for every person whose conscience still lives; may children die nowhere, may humanity never be extinguished.Though Gaza suffers increasing destruction each day, and though it is bombarded, it continually liberates the world. Humanity revives its conscience. To walk the path that Gaza opened through self-sacrifice, to become a principal actor in the new world order, to keep humanity’s conscience alive — we believe these are our sacred duties: to craft strategies, to gather people.We call upon every living heart whose conscience has not died, in the name of a new world where the subject is the human being and the value is justice, to rise in struggle.We pledge to stand by every oppressed and stand against every oppressor, in the spirit, excitement and motivation of the Great Intifada — for the family of humanity.Long live Gaza, long live the Great Intifada for all humanity.

An in-service training and consultation program was held at the foundation center at the beginning of the new academic season with the participation of unit and association members operating under the Bülbülzade Foundation.The program began with welcoming remarks and explanations moderated by foundation board members Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu and Hamdi Keleş. The foundation director Zeynel Kaplan provided information about the registration of new term activities, the processing of forms, and the preparation of the annual activity plan. Board member Fadime Eminoğlu shared insights regarding the foundation’s volunteer activities. Cumali Kaplan, the High School Commission Officer, presented the activities planned for the new term, while Sena Bozcan made a presentation regarding children's activities.Finally, foundation president Turgay Aldemir shared information about the ongoing activities and operations. He gave details about the events held during the summer, the Anadolu Culture Centers operating in safe zones, the projects in the İslâhiye Earthquake Region, Istikrar Sports Hall, Katre Science and Art Center, and Middle East Media. He also provided details regarding the upcoming educational term and teacher-focused activities. He shared updates about the ongoing construction of the Aleppo Anadolu Culture Center as well.In the remaining part of the program, each unit and association representative shared information about their work and presented their ideas on potential projects for the new term. The program concluded with suggestions and good wishes.

Anatolian Student Union organized a welcome breakfast titled “A Breakfast, Endless Connections” at the Gaziantep University Youth Center.President of the Bülbülzade Foundation, Turgay Aldemir, and board members attended the program. Seyre Batuk and Celal Er, on behalf of the Anatolian Student Union, informed the participants about the duties and responsibilities of the union, past activities, and planned events for the upcoming term.The event was organized to help students get to know each other and build new connections.

The Tradesmen Commission held a Family Gathering at the Semt-i İbrahimli Association. The meeting focused on the human effort to make sense of oneself and life in the digital age. Participants discussed the role of religion in our lives, seeking answers to questions such as: “Are we making an effort to live the religion we believe in?” and “Are we able to put theoretical knowledge into practice in daily life?” Following the meeting, it was decided to gather regularly every two weeks.

An "Educational Activities Launch and Talk" program was organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation. During the program, three planned workshops for the new term were introduced, and the heads of two departments presented their educational activities. Following the launch, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ünverdi held a talk titled "Approaches to the Faith Problems of Youth."The program began with a speech by Turgay Aldemir. Emphasizing the meaning and importance of the launch, Aldemir said, “These efforts express the joyful productivity that gives us life. In these days of crisis across the world, being islands of hope and open to others means a great deal. Through our work here—especially our efforts to help children and young people understand religion—we try to comprehend and make sense of this search. We can achieve this with everyone's contribution.”As part of the Educational Activities Launch, Hatice Neşe Çandır introduced the workshop titled “Little Hearts, Big Questions: How Should We Explain the Unseen to Children?” She stated that the 2nd Children’s Workshop will focus on how to explain abstract concepts to children, and that Şule Kala and Specialist Clinical Psychologist Merve Doğanları will attend the program as guests on October 18, 2025.Ayşegül Ağcalar Günaslan, responsible for the “Talking About Islam with Youth” workshop, said they were planning a series of open-minded and sincere discussions to address young people's questions about religion. She added that preparations have begun for the second edition of the workshop.In her presentation on Children's Programs, Sena Bozcan emphasized that their aim is to support not only academic success, but also the development of identity, personality, values, and skills. She explained that the programs target children aged 4–12 and are planned according to the age groups 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12.Hacı Abuzer Nas, responsible for the “Concept Workshop,” stated that concept workshops are critically important for adapting to the digital age and achieving sustainable communication. He mentioned plans to create a concept atlas, strategic concept connections, and concept sets.Cumali Kaplan, the Secondary Education Commission coordinator, provided information about their work, including team structure, institutional study points, educational activities, skills and talent courses, student gatherings, workshops, nature camps, and Youth Awareness Seminars.After the launch, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ünverdi held a talk on “Approaches to the Faith Problems of Youth.” The session examined reasons for young people distancing themselves from religion and included discussions on various case scenarios, as well as a review of the “Guide to Approaching Youth Faith Problems.”At the end of the talk, a plaque was presented to Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ünverdi by Betül Kaplan, a member of the Bülbülzade Foundation Teachers’ Commission, in appreciation of his contributions.

Hello, I am Bekir Taha. For two months, I was in the city of Tetovo in North Macedonia as part of the ESC51 (European Solidarity Corps) Volunteering Project carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM. Tetovo, which feels almost like a city in Turkey, made me feel at home, and I had the opportunity to meet many warm and friendly new people. Throughout these two months, I did my best to contribute in cooperation with the Alaca Association to serve the Turkish, Albanian, and Macedonian communities living in Tetovo.In the summer school we organized for children, we aimed to improve their empathy skills and adaptation to social and moral values through various games and activities. During the summer school, I assisted them in getting to know the guitar, learning about chords and arpeggios in music classes. We also formed a choir and practiced together.Volunteering at Alaca Association was a joyful experience. I met many wonderful people here. I would like to sincerely thank the Alaca Association family and the Bülbülzade Foundation family, who made it possible for me to come here.The association’s vision and mission focus on conducting sustainable and long-lasting projects aimed at children, youth, and women.

Turgay Aldemir, President of the Bülbülzade Foundation, and his accompanying delegation visited Erdoğan Tunç, the Regional Director of Foundations in Gaziantep.As part of the visit, information was shared about the educational, cultural, artistic, and academic activities carried out by the Bülbülzade Foundation in Gaziantep, as well as the efforts conducted in the Nurdağı and İslahiye regions since the first days of the earthquake. In addition to the foundation’s work in the field of migration in Syria, updates were also shared regarding the Anadolu Cultural Centers operating in northern Syria—particularly in Azez, Afrin, Jarabulus, and Al-Bab—and the soon-to-be-opened Aleppo Anadolu Cultural Center. Furthermore, information was provided about the foundation’s international activities in Turkey and the Balkans.Following the visit, Turgay Aldemir, President of the Bülbülzade Foundation, presented Erdoğan Tunç, the Regional Director of Foundations in Gaziantep, with a painting made by women working in workshops in the earthquake-affected area, as well as the book "Being a Family", in recognition of the Year of the Family.