Islamic News

We – one nation! | Society | News |

student from Tajikistan Rahat on the way to the university every time pass a banner with the slogan “We – one nation!” on one of Istanbul’s streets. This slogan Rahat hear from the first days of his studies in Istanbul. With these words, imbued with the spirit of diverse city, where students from all over the world, where the children live in different countries affected by wars, disasters and misfortunes.

Once fund IHH brought to Istanbul from warring Bosnia children who lost parents. “We helped them enter the university, gave them a good education. We tried to alleviate their suffering. In their homeland they wanted, but could not learn. We have tried to translate their dreams into reality “, – said Orhan Sefik, a member of IHH.

After years of fund assistance to disadvantaged IHH gave birth to two educational funds -” Baba Alem “( for students) and “Sader” (for students). Established offices now operate independently. More than two thousand students from 80 countries can obtain these funds any assistance – material, spiritual, educational.

«We must help the students try to solve their problems, because they are – our guests. That’s according to this logic, we are working, – said the Deputy President of the “Baba Alem. – In general, our work in two directions – to raise a decent man, give him an education. But most important: we want all Muslims were brothers and sisters, so that people did not share their ethnicity. You know what brotherhood and mutual aid were in Medina when the Prophet migrated there from the Companions from Mecca? And move, and residents were together. Our responsibility is to make sure that Muslims were again together ».

student Rahat

«Baba Alem” and “Sader” situated in the old and the most religious part of Istanbul – Fatih . Turkey moves through evolution, not revolution, say those who are familiar with the political and social situation in the country. Education has become the most important direction for political power and social movements in Turkey. Recently, the country was built 54 colleges and universities. “Now we can safely say that Turkey did not remain an area where there had been no opportunity to receive higher education,” – said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the University of Fatih.

Our interpreter, 18-year-old Seda from Grozny, a medical student at Istanbul University. From time to time her fellow students organize protests against the excessive workload. University Rectorate sometimes losing its way, and allow to reduce the school day, such as 10 hours up to 8. Seda with loads resigned – she strongly wants to become a doctor.

Coming to the university, she walks into the booth, takes a handkerchief and goes into the audience – the hijab at educational institutions of the country are still banned, despite the presence in the power of Islamic activists. Meanwhile, Seda finds time to attend “Sader”, where she is studying the Koran, the Islamic discipline, undergoing professional photography. Here, within 10 months, it prepared for university – teach Turkish language, “pulled up” by school subjects. “But sometimes I come here just to talk to girls. In “Sader” comes a very good youth “, – says Seda.

In the “Sader” maiden cozy atmosphere – pink furniture, flowers on tabletops, soft light, falling through the pastel shades. Sheyma Ustyun, president of the foundation, clad in large black headscarf, says that when girls in the fund has become very much, the leadership of the Fund decided to create two structures – separately for students and separately for students. Today and Sader, and Baba Alem “pay students a stipend of 75 dollars, provide them with housing, furniture, paid for studying at universities in Istanbul. Increased grant paid to children who came from “hot spots”.

Veysal Bashar, president of the Baba Alem “

« The most unfortunate children of those who have experienced war. To help these children – a great honor for us. For us the main thing – to show them that there is another life. To these children are not seen more war and suffering, we must do everything for them “- says the president” Baba Alem “Veysal Bashar.

Once staff IHH wanted to close his fund immediately after the war in Bosnia. But the war in Chechnya, then in Iraq, then in Afghanistan … The young people who came to Istanbul for knowledge, is not only preparing for exams. They are taught a normal life at the household level. As one member of the Commons “Baba Alem” – we try to discourage young people from committing forbidden, deduct them from haram.

«But what are you waiting for a response from the students, which you learn and get scholarships?” – I ask Sheymy Ustyun. Sheyma not understand my question – how can something expected in return? “When the African students who come to Istanbul only to medical school, will return to their homeland, we expect that they will work in the Ministry of Health, – she laughs. – We expect that they at least have become leaders and, as a maximum – the presidents. And so they do not interrupt communication with us, when they return to their country. ”

A student from Tajikistan Rahat every day sees the streets of Istanbul slogan: “We – one nation!”. Rahat said that these words will be in it, and when she returned home.

Sheyma Ustyun, president of the Sader “