Mrs. Birgül ARSLAN (GIMDES Women’s Board Chair)
KAYSERİ
A vinegar workshop was held on Saturday, October 4th. The workshop, narrated by Mrs. Fatma YILDIRIM, covered the vinegar-making process, what to consider when making vinegar, and why we should use halal-certified vinegar. The jujube and apple vinegars were assembled with the participants. Members of the lead team brought jujube and apples to the workshop, and the vinegars were assembled. After the workshop, tea, çiğ köfte, and cookies were served, and a discussion about GIMDES and Halal Nutrition was held.
DIYARBAKIR
As the Diyarbakır Volunteer Representative of the GIMDES Women’s Board, we began our introductory program with the Surah Al–Fath. Following our introduction, we asked, “Where does GIMDES fit into our lives?” We evaluated the impact of halal and Tayyib nutrition on our bodies and spirituality, and its place in our lives. Within this framework, the importance of conscious consumption habits was emphasized. The question “Why GIMDES?” was answered. Participants were informed about GIMDES’s founding purpose, activities, and the halal certification process. Information was provided about the Darul Halal Madrasa, which operates under GIMDES; the madrasa’s purpose, educational content, and objectives were shared with the participants. Participants received a letter titled “What do we consume?”, turquoise ribbons were presented to support the Sumud Flotilla, and informative brochures were distributed.
ANKARA
On Saturday, October 11th, the GIMDES Volunteer Ankara Representative Office held a program called “Should We Eat a Çiğköfte with Chat?” at the Sadakataşı Association. Following an introduction to GIMDES, the participants discussed the ingredients and additives of çiğ köfte, other packaged foods, and food in general.
On Saturday, October 18th, a high school cupcake workshop was held with the IHH Altındağ Branch. Following a brief introduction, we aimed to raise awareness about the importance of halal and Tayyib food, and the additives we should be aware of through a question-and-answer session.
On Monday, October 20th, the GIMDES Volunteer Ankara Branch held a “Halal Nutrition in the Shadow of the Modern Age” training at Aziziye Schools. The training, attended by approximately 100 middle and high school students and teachers, addressed the concepts of halal and haram, the importance of halal food, and the questionable and harmful additives in packaged products. The training also included visuals showcasing certified product varieties, highlighting the availability of halal and Tayyib alternatives to the junk food they consume. Following the presentation, students’ questions were answered. Students who answered three questions relevant to the training content were presented with GIMDES-certified junk food products. At the end of the program, the importance of the topic was emphasized through conversation with our teachers. Students were asked to request source information to support their instruction. They were asked to raise student awareness by providing certified products in their cafeterias.
MANİSA
On Monday, October 6, 2025, the GIMDES Volunteer Soma Representative held a training session with the Akhisar IHH Women’s team, “Lokmanla Sen, Seninle Dünya Değişir” (You change with your morsels, the world changes with you.). The concepts of Halal and Tayyib, food additives, GIMDES, and the Dunya Halal Foundation were discussed in detail.
ESKİŞEHİR
As the GIMDES Volunteer Eskişehir Representative, we held a halal food awareness lesson on Monday, October 20th at 8:00 PM with university students residing at the KYK Eskişehir Bala Hatun girls’ dormitory, under the title “Are we aware of what we eat?” After the lesson, in collaboration with the dormitory’s spiritual advisor, some students left their packaged food and joined us for a tea gathering afterwards.
On Friday, October 24th, at 2:00 PM, we celebrated the new season with an introductory tea at the Eskişehir IHH Women’s Building. Accompanied by approximately 20 women, we shared our own halal treats, introduced ourselves to GİMDES, and talked about our Darül Halal Madrasa. We also sold books and donated money.
On Monday, October 27th, at 8:00 PM, we held a food additives lesson titled “CODING!” with university students residing at the Eskişehir Bala Hatun Girls’ Dormitory. We have agreed to hold a workshop after the midterm exams.
On Tuesday, October 28th, at 2:00 PM, the Dünya Halal Foundation and Gimdes Volunteer Eskişehir representative held their monthly consultation and socialization meeting at the Eğitim Bir-Sen union building, led by the Eskişehir Brotherhood Platform. As every month, we discussed GIMDES and our work. We also discussed our projects related to Gaza.
AFYONKARAHISAR
On October 29th, Melek Biçer, the Afyonkarahisar GIMDES Volunteer Representative, gave a presentation to the students who memorized the Quran at the Directorate of Religious Affairs’ Hafızlığı (Memorization Course). The introduction to GIMDES included an introduction to the organization and the challenges faced by food additives.
MUŞ
A joint children’s program was held with the Mothers Reading group. The children participated in a coloring activity, and our team of pioneers served cupcakes and lemonade made with GIMDES-certified products. The mothers were informed about GIMDES and Halal Food awareness.
SAKARYA
At Adabilim College and the Turkish Religious Foundation Girls’ Dormitory, approximately 120 people attended training sessions titled “Halal Food and Boycott” for students and teachers. Information about GIMDES and the Darul Halal Madrasah was provided during the training.
ÇORUM
October 18 Halal Lokma Book Analysis
On October 18, 13 women gathered at the Çorum IHH Foundation building. A Kahoot quiz was held to discuss the sections read. The first woman received a GIMDES Prayer Book, while the second and third women received bookmarks. Mrs. Özden from Çorum HDM presented the women with cosmetic products. HDM offered beverages and food during this analysis. The participants discussed the importance of being a mother in Halal food, the responsibility we have for the children and young people around us, and the need to strive to convey Halal awareness to them in the right way. They also discussed the use of alcohol in food, GMO foods, how what we eat affects our hormones and our hormones affect our behavior, the use of pork in food, the differences between pork fats and other oils, the relationship between pork fat storage and human hormones and behavior, and the importance of milk consumption in children. Finally, information was provided about the Darul Halal Madrasah.
ADANA
The GIMDES Adana volunteer pioneer team held an introductory tea event on September 28th. The introduction of GIMDES and the need for certification in a Muslim country were discussed. Turkish delight and tea were served.
SIVAS
The GIMDES Sivas pioneer team held their first introductory tea event on October 29th. After a brief introduction, awareness was raised on topics such as who GIMDES is and what its areas of activity are.
ISTANBUL
On Wednesday, October 15th, a seminar on the importance of halal food was given to women at the Sancaktepe Human and Civilization Movement Association by Mrs. Arzu Sarıtaş. She discussed GIMDES’s work and also addressed why boycotting is important.
On Friday, October 24th, a seminar was given to students at Sultangazi Mimar Sinan Girls’ Imam Hatip High School by Mrs. Arzu Sarıtaş on the importance of halal food and the criteria we should follow when consuming so-called junk food, such as ready-made packaged goods and fast food.
