Mrs. Birgül ARSLAN (Women’s Board Chair)
ANKARA
As GİMDES Ankara, we held a bag-painting workshop as part of our children’s activities, titled “Is My Ice Cream Creamy?” We began with an introduction session and discussed ice cream and its additives, witnessing some of the children becoming more aware. Immediately afterward, we painted our bags and enjoyed our ice cream. We also received requests for other programs.
AFYON
– On Saturday, July 16, 2025, an Ashura event was held with children from the Summer Quran course. Approximately 35 students had an informative conversation about choosing halal foods and boycotting. Following the conversation, there was a question-and-answer session.
– On Saturday, July 23, 2025, a picnic was held with students from the Hayrat Foundation Summer School. Approximately 45 students held a pleasant lesson on halal nutrition and its impact on good morals.
MUŞ
In July, a Resistance Picnic was held in Muş province with the Jerusalem, Our Heritage Association. Sixteen women and nine children attended the picnic, held in Göletli Park. After the volunteers introduced themselves, the picnic’s purpose was explained. They discussed the strength halal food provides for the resistance and the connection between halal food and the love and upright stance of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the current resistance. They also presented refreshments made with halal-certified products. They also explained how some Palestinian recipes are prepared with halal-friendly food, concluding the program.
BURDUR
On Friday, July 25th, with 18 participants, we discussed “Islamic Issues in Medicines.” We hosted Ayşenur Altınay, our former Burdur Provincial Representative and the Ataşehir District Representative, at the training. We reviewed drug leaflets, discussed the ingredients of medical drugs that have become so prevalent in many areas of our lives, and offered alternative solutions. Halal-certified iced tea was served after the training. We awarded one person a gift of black cumin oil and a lavender sachet through a raffle.
ISPARTA
As the Isparta/Yalvaç district representative, we held our Halal, Tayyib foods and supplements program for girls during our Summer Quran course with 17 children. They were very happy. They all listened with interest and attention and participated. AFIA cake and MEYSU fruit juice were also offered by a benefactor.
ISTANBUL
As the Istanbul Pendik representative, we organized our Brotherhood Picnic for women and children on Maltepe beach with 110 women and 18 children. We were delighted to welcome our guests with refreshments prepared entirely with GIMDES-certified products. With the participation of our Istanbul female volunteer management team, we met with the participants and established close friendships. We informed them about GIMDES’s vision and mission and answered their questions. We concluded the picnic with a raffle.
