July-August-September 2010 / Issue: 42

HUMANITARIAN
RELIEF

Palestine Our Route

Humanitarian Aid
Our Load
Together We Can
Change The World (20)
For a good future (50)
Give a hand to end orphanhood
Support an orphan, raise the happiness
For over 16.000 orphans from 27 different countries
We provide financial support by the sponsor family system
n
The intention is to help 60.000 orphans together with you Monthly donatio
for an orphan is

35 50
$
or

+90 212 631 21 21

 EDITORIAL
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
July - August - September 2010
Issue: 42 Dear readers,

Owner on behalf of We have finished our preparations that will be sent to hundreds of
IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation thousands of people in the month of Ramadan. We have determined
Atty. F. Bülent YILDIRIM where to carry out our activities during Ramadan both within the country
and abroad, taking up the slogan “Together we can change the world!”.
Executive Editor
We aim to reach more than a million people through the distribution
=Murat YILMAZ
of care packages, iftar activities, educational support and clothing for
Editor orphans. Comprehensive information about our Ramadan and aid
Amine TUNA ERTÜRK activities can be found below.

Editorial Board
Since its establishment, IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has
Ahmet Emin DAĞ been aware of its responsibility and has worked to carry out long-term
F. Zehra BAYRAK development projects, struggling to help people live in a better peaceful
H. Zehra ÖZTÜRK world. In this context, IHH has developed joint projects with NGOs that
Osman ATALAY are working towards similar aims throughout the world. Thus, we set
Zeliha SAĞLAM out from Istanbul on 22 May 2010, drawing the attention of the world
on the embargo imposed by Israel on Gaza, to take humanitarian relief
Corrector to the people in need in Gaza with the slogan “Palestine Our Route
Jane Louise Kandur Humanitarian Aid Our Load” The six ships of the flotilla carried the
Design conscience of the world to Gaza; however, these ships were halted
ARTWORKS with a bloody attack on the 31st of May. This time Israel carried out the
Printing massacres it has been inflicting throughout Palestine on the conscience
Kelebek Matbaacılık of the entire world. Nine volunteers were martyred, more than 50
volunteers were injured, and hundreds of others were arrested. And now
Tel: +90 (212) 771 54 54
Israel is trying to deceive the world, despite the testimony of 800 people.
Address A new era started in the world, and nothing will ever be the same again.
Büyük Karaman Caddesi Now there are new ships which weigh anchor in the heart of every
Taylasan Sokak No: 3 single human being; ships for a world of justice. Thousands, hundreds of
thousands, indeed, millions of volunteers join hands to stand up against
Fatih - ISTANBUL / TURKEY
injustice… We share with you articles about the purpose of the flotilla
Tel: +90 (212) 631 21 21 and its result in our bulletin of quarterly activities.
Fax: +90 (212) 621 70 51 With the hope that good will spread throughout the entire world…
info@ihh.org.tr
www.ihh.org.tr
 ACTIVITIES
Water wells
in Ethiopia,
Somalia and
Cameroon have
SPOTLIGHT:
The conscience connected
RAMADAN
of the world people to life
Zakat and alms

07 26
as an individual
and social volue

16

04 12
Testimonies
20
Together we
AGENDA can change the
Palestine world!
Our Route
Humanitarian
Aid Our Load

AGENDA - Humanitarian aid flotilla (6) / Occurrence of the attack (8) / What relief makes for Gaza
(10) / The legal struggle initiated against the Israeli attack on the humanitarian aid flotilla (11) / Our
volunteers put their hearts into the humanitarian aid flotilla (14) / SPOTLIGHT: RAMADAN - IHH 2010
Ramadan activities (16) / Ramadan 2010 Turkey (24) / ACTIVITIES - Mosque and school in Somalia
(25) / Opening of a mosque in Zanzibar (30) / Support for activities to mark the mawlid (blessed birth)
(31) / Istanbul Culture and Training Center opened in Bosnia-Herzegovina (34) / 40.151 cataract
 PEOPLE
OF GOOD
DEEDS
On the
FOCUS
Way for
Aid for chechen Turkey rises up
Humanitarian
immigrants for İzzet Şahin
Relief

39 54 62

32 50
16.003 orphans
are no longer
alone
FOCUS
For a good
future
58
IN THE FIELD
IHH works with
the Qatari Red
Crescent and
OIC Somalia

patients have seen the light (35) / Support for earthquake victims in Chile (36) / The tragedy of the people
of Arakan persists (37) / Support by IHH for autistic students (38) / A helping hand to Hakkari, Şanlıurfa
and Muş (40) / Volunteer activities (42) / FUTURE PROJECTS IN BRIEF - Palestine Gaza psychological
support project for children (46) / Lebanon purchase of medical equipment (46) / Sudan Darfur project to
meet the needs of newborn babies (47) / Turkey Elazığ fountain construction project (48) / Palestine Al-
Quds project to repair houses around the Al-Aqsa Mosque (48) / Thailand Patani orphanage project (49)
4 AGENDA Palestine Our Route Humanitarian Aid Our Load

Palestine Our Route

Humanitarian Aid Our Load
Murat YILMAZ
 Palestine Our Route Humanitarian Aid Our Load
T
he occupation that has been
imposed on the Palestinian
territory for more than 60 years
continues with new suppression,
oppression and mass destruction. Gaza,
where one million immigrants have to
find ground to live on, is the focus of this
new process. The embargo imposed on
Gaza constitutes a fundamental threat
to human life. As a result of the 22-
day Israeli attack, carried out eighteen
months ago, the territory suffered a
substantial loss of its already quite
limited economic resources. Gaza is an
isolated area where power resources
are greatly restricted; even the most
fundamental medicines cannot be
found and the health infrastructure
has collapsed. It is an area where
education has to be provided in the
streets as schools were targeted
in the attack, where people are
homeless, living in tents, and where
social facilities are non-existent. The
people of Gaza face death at every
moment; patients cannot be cured and
the entry of food, medicine and medical
supplies is blocked. As construction
materials needed for
constructing buildings to
replace the hospitals
and schools
that were
razed to the ground during the Israeli
attacks are also not allowed into Gaza
due to the illegal embargo exercised
by Israel, such organizations cannot
operate either. The embargo has to
be ended immediately so that all such
problems in Gaza can be eliminated.
The IHH Humanitarian Relief
Foundation, which has been carrying
out efforts to help Palestine for many
years, organized an international
convoy in January to try to lift the illegal
embargo that has been imposed upon
Gaza by Israel for more than three
years. The intention was that
this convoy, which consisted
of hundreds of vehicles, would
reach Gaza by land, breaking
through the embargo; the flotilla that
set out in May was to reach Gaza, this
time from the sea, with nine ships of
humanitarian relief.
The “Palestine Our Route Humanitarian
Aid our Load” flotilla, the Turkish
participation carried out by IHH, was
organized by six international NGOs,
consisting of The Greek Ship to Gaza
Campaign, The Swedish Ship to
Gaza, The Free Gaza Movement, The
International Committee to Lift the Siege
on Gaza, The European Campaign
to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG).
It was also supported by hundreds of
NGOs all around the world.
The flotilla was to create a new relief
corridor for Gaza, to help lift the
embargo. It was hoped that at least the
people of Gaza, who had been living
in deprivation for so long, would be
helped.
AGENDA 5
The flotilla carried more than 10.000
tons of humanitarian relief supplies,
consisting mostly of construction
materials; the aim was to bring the
issue of Gaza onto the international
agenda once again, and thus to create
a strong initiative to lift the embargo.
The fundamental needs of the people of
Gaza would be met, the patients would
be treated, and the schools, hospitals
and medical centers that had been
razed to the ground during the Israeli
attacks would be reconstructed with the
relief supplies that the flotilla carried.
Shelters for the homeless, rehabilitation
centers and playgrounds for children
would be built. In order to do this,
hundreds of participants, people from
different countries, religions and races,
ranging from Latin America to Africa,
the Balkans to Central Asia, and from
the Middle East to the Far East, joined
this flotilla for the common goal of taking
humanitarian relief to Gaza. Members
of parliament, academics, journalists,
authors and NGO representatives, as
well as religious officials and artists
from 36 different countries were among
the passengers of the fleet. In this
sense, the flotilla was, so to speak,
representing the conscience of the
world to Gaza.
The humanitarian relief flotilla was
perceived as an important chance to
prevent the occurrence of new Gazas
throughout the world, particularly in
the Middle East, and to achieve peace
in the territory. It was hoped that the
arrival of the international ships of
peace would help lift the atmosphere
of war and chaos that encircled the
Middle East, and as a result, a new
atmosphere of moderation would occur,
and a new breeze would be brought to
the solution of the problems. However,
the flotilla was prevented from carrying
out its task by a bloody attack carried
out by Israeli soldiers in the international
waters of the Mediterranean.
 6 AGENDA Humanitarian Aid Flotilla

Ships In The Flotilla

Name Country Number of Person Type

Mavi Marmara Comoros 577 Passenger ship

Defne Kiribati 20 Cargo ship

Gazze I Turkey 18 Cargo ship

Eleftheri Mesogios Greece 30 Cargo ship

Sfendoni Togo 43 Cargo ship

Challenger I USA 20 Passenger ship

Challenger II USA 20 Passenger ship - Due to the breakdown, its passengers were transferred to Mavi Marmara.

Rachel Corrie Cambodia 20 Cargo ship

Humanitarian Relief Items In The Flotilla

Foods
Basic
Needs Textiles (clothes, towels, bedding, shoes, fabric, carpets, kitchenware, quilts, blankets, couches and beds)

Medical equipments, ultrasound scan devices, x-ray devices, electric patient beds, dentistry units, dentist’s
gear, doppler echocardiography devices, wheelchairs, electrical wheel chairs, disabled electric mobility
Medical scooters, stretchers, deambulateurs, autoclaves, mammography device, microscopes, blood circulating
Supplies machine, hemodialysis machines, radiology monitors, crutches, ENT units, cat scan machine, operating beds,
gynecological couches and various medical supplies.
Medicines
Iron – 750 tons
Precast homes – 100 units
Construction supplies: Tiles, timber, fiberboard, cage, plumbing supplies, electric equipment, plastic window
frames, glass, steel cables, measuring tools, hand carts, nails, mountings, bathroom fittings, paint, power
Constructional distribution units, ladders, isolation materials.
Materials
Cement – 3500 tons

Ceramic Tile Adhesive - 50 tons

Children’s Playgrounds - 16 Units
2 trucks of wood
2 electrical power generators
Hardware supplies (Electric hand tools, machines, ovens)
Power Units (5 units of 85 kws – 2 units of 145 kws – 6 of 150 kws – 3 of 165 kws – 1 of 100 kws and 1 unit of
Hardware 35 kws)
Power Units (80 units of 1-2-5 kws)
ETC 
2 desalination units
20 tons of paper
 The conscience of the world AGENDA 7

The conscience of the world

Among the participants of the “Palestine Our Route, Humanitarian Aid Our Load”
flotilla, there were members of parliament, academics, journalists, authors,
NGO representatives, religious representatives and activists from
36 different countries

A
mong the participants of
the “Palestine Our Route,
Humanitarian Aid Our Load”
flotilla, there were members of
parliament, academics, journalists,
authors, NGO representatives,
religious representatives and activists.
In the flotilla there were members of
parliament from Germany, Kuwait,
Israel, Ireland, Sweden, Greece,
Southern Cyprus, Morocco, Yemen,
Egypt, and Algeria, there was the
89 year old archbishop Helarion
Capycci, as well as intellectuals and
representatives of NGOs, activists
from the Middle East, Europe,
America, the Far East and Africa.
The flotilla was carrying the
conscience of the world.
In the flotilla there were
representatives of
important media organizations, TRT,
Press TV, Al-Hiwar, TRT Haber, TRT
Arabic, Anadolu News Agency, TV 5,
TV NET, Ülke TV, Kon TV, Doğan
News Agency, Al-Jazeera English,
Kuwait News Agency, Venezuela
Telesur TV, Al-Jazeera Internet, Suara
Hidayatullah, The Brunei Times,
Al-Aqsa TV, Al-Jazeera Arabic, Al-
Quds TV, Pakistan AJ-TV, Gulf News
Agency, TV One, The Brunei Times,
Al-Jazeera Indonesia, Culture and
Resistance Network, Sydney Morning Egypt, France, Germany, Greece,
Herald Journal, Islamic Magazine, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan,
Vakit, Yeni Şafak, Sabah, Star, Zaman, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon,
Taraf, Gerçek Hayat, Vuslat Dergisi, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritania,
Radio 786, Özel FM. Morocco, New Zealand, Norway,
Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland,
Nationalities of the participants Serbia, South Africa, Spain,
in the flotilla: Sweden, Syria, Turkey, United
Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Kingdom, United States of America,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Yemen.
8 AGENDA Occurrence of the attack

IR E LAN D

İSTANBUL

G REEC E
TURKEY
ANTALYA
PIRAEUS

M E D I TE R R AN E AN

The ships of the flotilla from Turkey, Mavi Marmara, Gazze 1 and Defne, from
Greece Challenger 1, Challenger 2, Eleftheri Mesogios and Sfendoni and
Rachel Corrie from Ireland, all set for Gaza.

ATTACK POSITION
31.05.2010 04.30

MEDITERRANEAN

EGYPT

In the attack on 31 May, 2010 there were 4 battle ships, 3 helicopters, 2 submarines
and 30 zodiac boats belonging to the Israeli navy.
 Occurrence of the attack AGENDA 9

Violations by Israel that were beyond the

attack, the occupation, the killings and
cause of injuries, and the subsequent
complaints
1. Prevention and interruption of communication
2. Illegal interrogation and detention
3. Illegal seizure of passports
4. Wrongful seizure of the ships and relief supplies
5. Wrongful seizure and destruction of personal
belongings
6. Torture, dishonorable treatment, maltre
atment and beating

SYRIA

T.R.N.C

SOUTHERN
CYRPRUS THE SHIPS SET OFF
30.05.2010 15.54

MEETING POINT
28.05.2010 16.00

THE SHIPS LEBANON

BEIRUT
STOPPED TO MEET

The ships started to come to the

meeting point in the open waters
of the Mediterranean on friday,
28 May, 2010. The ships that
arrived at the meeting point set
MEDITERRANEAN
out for Gaza on 30 May, 2010. HAIFA

The Israeli navy started to harass ISRAEL

the humanitarian aid flotilla on 30
May, Sunday around 22.30. The
ships, which were sailing through WEST BANK
international waters, were THE MOMENT OF ATTACK
subjected to a violent attack by 31.05.2010. 04.30
ASHDOD
the Israeli navy on 31 May, 2010
ASHQELON
Sunday morning, 4.30.
GAZA JORDAN

ARISH

EGYPT
 10 AGENDA
What relief
makes for Gaza...
H
ad the relief ships been able to
reach Gaza, a new relief corridor
would have been opened for this
territory in which 1.5 million people live.
The fundamental needs of the people
of Gaza would have been met, patients
would have been treated, and the
schools, hospitals and medical centers
which had been razed to the ground
during the Israeli attacks would have
been reconstructed if the flotilla had
been able to dock in Gaza.
The people of Gaza would have been
able to rebuild their lives with the
materials and tools that were to be
used in the construction of houses.
What relief makes for Gaza...
Ultrasound and x-ray
devices, electric hospital
beds, dental units,
wheelchairs, battery-
operated cars, stretchers,
microscopes, dialysis
machines, radiology
screens, crutches,
Otolaryngology units,
gynecology exam
equipment, Doppler
and echocardiography
equipment, deambulator, sterilizing
units, mammography device, operating
equipment was all headed for the
hospitals. Prefabricated houses were
to be set up for the families whose
houses had been demolished, and the
necessary household equipment would
help them carry on their lives.
 AGENDA 11

The legal struggle initiated

against the Israeli attack on the
humanitarian aid flotilla
In the file of the investigation that was started in Turkey, the testimony of
the victims was recorded and the examination of the evidence, including
forensic reports and visual records and photos was begun.

T
he legal struggle to secure a
trial and punishment for those
responsible for the attack on the
flotilla that was bringing humanitarian
relief to Gaza and to abolish the
illegal embargo on Gaza has been
initiated at the request of the aggrieved
persons and bodies. After the arrival
of the passengers in Turkey by plane,
procedures were commenced by
every passenger undergoing forensic
examination. The autopsy of the
corpses was carried out at the forensic
medicine institute upon the arrival of the
bodies in Turkey; lawyers also
participated in the autopsy. It was
also established that the luggage
and bags of personal belongings
of the humanitarian relief
volunteers had been pilfered; the
electronic goods were broken,
smashed, and some private belongings
had been confiscated.
In the file of the investigation that
was started in Turkey, the testimony
of the victims was recorded and the
examination of the evidence, including
forensic reports and visual records and
photos was begun. At the same time,
the lawyers of victims applied to bring
lawsuits in the countries of jurisdiction
to put the responsible Israeli authorities
on trial. In particular, efforts are in
progress to bring the
matter before the International Criminal
Court (ICC). There have been studies
in several countries, not only in the
countries of the victims, to initiate an
investigation under the auspices of the
ICC.
The lawyers of the aggrieved
took actions to sue for damages,
and applications to international
mechanisms, such as the UN High
Commission for Human Rights, have
been made.
12 AGENDA
Maryam Luqman Talib
Student / Australia
T
he Palestinian issue, the Gaza issue, and
what people experience there comprise a
summation of the injustices that are suffered
all around the world. Particularly, life in Gaza is not
something that one can sit back and watch. The
conditions in Gaza have lasted for an extended
period of time, and it has been intentionally ignored
by our governments and the people in power. Being
honored with such an opportunity, I thought it would
be a crime if I missed it, and I joined the flotilla. Both
before and after the attack, the atmosphere on the
Erkan Bayfidan
Cameraman / Turkey
W
e were attacked by the Israeli army
during our routine live broadcast that
night-these were something we did
throughout the trip. We were on air at the time of
the raid, but our broadcast was cut off by Israel.
When our live broadcast was terminated, we
switched to our backup frequency, and continued
our broadcast. I was trying to film how the Israeli
soldiers were arriving in zodiac boats, and how the
soldiers were coming down from the helicopters. I
was doing my best to record everything I could see
with the camera on my shoulder. I saw some action
to the left of the ship; soldiers began to take over
the ship. Meanwhile, I was trying to film the Israeli
soldier in the corridor. The soldier was kicking a
volunteer. Other volunteers, trying to prevent him,
got in front of me, and then the soldier opened
fire. Because I was standing in parallel with the
direction of fire, I was shot in my right arm, the bullet
penetrating my arm. The soldiers attacked using
firearms against the unarmed people onboard.
Testimonies
ship was great. There were some people with whom,
even though we could not communicate orally, we
could talk to with our hearts. There were people of
different colors, religions, languages and races on
board the ship. Everybody knew well that whatever
we were to overcome, we would do that together.
Everybody was united, everybody was full of love.
There was only peace. The large-scale protests,
demonstrating international public opinion, after the
massacre by Israel proved very clearly that Israel
cannot stand by itself.
Mine Karakaş - IHH Orphan Unit
Coordinator / Turkey
I
HH currently supports 10,000 orphans in Gaza.
We provide financial support to the orphans
every month. However, we wished to take
gifts from here to them, as hope for the children
of Gaza, and to enable our sponsor families to
send gifts to the children.
Thus, sponsor families
prepared gift packages
for the orphan children of
Gaza, their siblings. The
gift packages contained
quite valuable presents, the
most valuable of all being
the letters expressing the
feelings of the children
here. The children wrote
that they wanted to go to
Gaza, that one day Gaza would be free and that
they wanted to meet there. These gift packages
were with us onboard the Mavi Marmara. We
placed the orphans’ gifts, precious things that
had been entrusted to us, on the seats in order to
prevent them coming to any harm, and lay down
on the floor. When the soldiers were forcing us to
disembark in Ashdod after the attack, I saw that
our private belongings and the orphan gifts had
all been jumbled together. What upset me most
was not being able to take the gifts that had been
entrusted to us to the orphans, and not being able
to see the happiness in their faces.
Testimonies AGENDA 13

Paveen Yaqub that what we were going through was not real, but
Activist / Britain a movie. I was trying to assist the injured. Then I
was told to make an announcement and sent the

M
y purpose in joining the flotilla was to messages “Please cease fire, people are dying!” and
contribute to the humanitarian relief that “We need medical aid” to the Israeli army. I begged
was being sent to the Gazan people, and them to stop for an hour or more, but they cut off the
to provide health and announcement system.
education support for Everybody in the ship
people like children, was seized by the
widows and patients. I Israeli soldiers. While
participated in this flotilla they were searching
to do something practical, us, they teased and
to become a part of this tried to humiliate us.
experience and to further Every time we moved,
increase awareness they threatened us.
about Palestine, instead They even hit some
of just sitting and doing people. They slapped
nothing in Britain. There or harassed those who
was a spirit of solidarity talked to or looked at
and unity on the ship. one another. Today I am
Everything was very orderly and inspiring. We were even more willing to go to Gaza. We saw the terror
all full of hope. People from all around the world that the Israel government and army inflict on people
had come together for a single purpose. We had from different social statuses, and even VIPs, at first
the honor and privilege of being part of such a fleet. hand. We are now much more determined to defend
This was a historical, great and symbolic trip to the justice and back up the rights of every human
Palestine. When Israel attacked madly, I was thinking being in the world.

Fatima el-Murabiti
Psychologist / Belgium

P
alestine is a part of my life. Every day of my life
I have been hearing from my parents, since
I was four or five, what people go through in
Palestine. Now I am 26, and nothing has changed in
Palestine until today. I ask myself, “How can this be
happening?” Besides, I also hate torture and injustice.
Thus, I thought I should contribute to this convoy.
I collected some aid for the Gazan people, and took
part in the flotilla. Everybody in the flotilla found a place,
somehow everybody contributed to the organization.
Like a big family, everybody had a responsibility.
Women, men, everybody worked together.
14 AGENDA
Our volunteers
put their hearts into the
humanitarian
aid flotilla
S
upport from all
throughout Turkey
rained down on the
flotilla which departed to
take humanitarian relief to
Palestine on Saturday, May
22, 2010. They included
handicrafts made by our
volunteers, and goods
ranging from construction
equipment to stationery and
medical supplies, from gifts
to playgrounds.
We thank our volunteers for
their support to the flotilla,
raising money with more
than 100 activities like
sales, conferences, and
photographic exhibitions
throughout 60 provinces and
several districts in Turkey.
Public fund-raising
sales and photo
exhibitions
IHH volunteers supported
“Palestine Our Route
Humanitarian Relief our
Load” flotilla with fund-
raising events arranged
in tens of provinces and
districts all throughout
Turkey. In this context,
events were arranged
in Adana, Adıyaman,
Adıyaman-Kâhta, Ağrı,
Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir-
Bandırma, Bingöl, Bitlis-
Tatvan, Bursa-İnegöl,
Denizli, Diyarbakır,
Elazığ, Erzincan,
Erzurum, Gaziantep,
Hatay-İskenderun,
Istanbul-Bağcılar,
Istanbul-Bağlarbaşı,
Istanbul-Başakşehir,
Istanbul-Güngören,
Istanbul-Ümraniye, Istanbul-
Kâğıthane, Istanbul-Kartal,
İzmir, Kahramanmaraş,
Kayseri, Kilis, Konya,
Malatya, Mardin-Midyat,
Osmaniye, Samsun, Siirt,
Sivas, Şanlıurfa, Şanlıurfa-
Siverek, Tokat, Uşak, Van
and Van-Erciş.
Meetings
Volunteers also organized
meetings in Afyon, Amasya,
Ankara-Çubuk, Aydın, Bolu,
Bursa, Bursa-İnegöl, Edirne,
Edirne-Uzunköprü, Istanbul-
Mecidiyeköy, Istanbul-
Pendik, Istanbul-Ümraniye,
Konya, Konya-Seydişehir,

Malatya, Manisa, Mersin,
Sakarya, Sakarya-Hendek,
Sinop, Sinop-Ayancık,
Sinop-Boyabat, Tekirdağ,
Tekirdağ-Çerkezköy and
Tekirdağ-Lüleburgaz.
Fund-raising
organizations
Fund-raising breakfasts
and teas were organized by
volunteers to support the
flotilla in Antalya-Alanya,
Balıkesir-Biga, Balıkesir-
Gönen, Eskişehir, İzmit and
İzmit-Gölcük. In Istanbul,
fund-raising breakfasts were
arranged by AYSİT Istanbul,
Anatolian Side NGO
Platform, the İsar Solidarity
Group, Miraç Group, Nisa
Group, volunteers of the
Ümraniye Yeşil Vadi ,
Üsküdar volunteers and
Sultanbeyli volunteers. A
breakfasts with an auction
was arranged in Beylikdüzü.
Charity bazaars and
photo exhibitions
Charity volunteers from
all around Turkey did their
best to raise funds for the
humanitarian relief flotilla
with several fund-raising
eventssales.
Our volunteers in Balıkesir-
Gönen cooked waffles
in the marketplace every
Tuesday and donated
the income to IHH for
Palestine. Women of the
Batman province gave the
income raised from a fund-
raising event that lasted for
three days to IHH. The
fund-raising sale arranged
by our volunteers in Isparta
and Tokat-Niksar lasted
for a week. IHH volunteers
who arranged fund-raising
sales in three different
spots in Ankara and İzmir,
also arranged kermises
in Adapazarı, Adapazarı-
Geyve, Adıyaman, Ağrı-
Patnos, Ankara-Çubuk,
Antalya, Antalya-Alanya,
Bartın, Bolu, Bitlis-Tatvan,
Bursa, Çankırı, Çorum,
Çorum-Sungurlu, Denizli,
Diyarbakır, Elazığ,
Erzurum, İskenderun, İzmit,
İzmit-Derince, Kırşehir,
Konya, Konya-Beyşehir,
AGENDA 15
Konya-Seydişehir,
Malatya, Muş, Silivri,
Sivas, Şanlıurfa, Uşak
and Van. As for Istanbul,
fund-raising events were
held in Avcılar, Beyoğlu-
Cihangir, Eyüp, Güngören,
Maltepe, Pendik, Sarıyer
and Zeytinburnu. The İsar
Solidarity Group, various
groups in Güngören,
Katre-Der, Miraç Group,
Küçükçekmece Saadet
Party Women’s Branch and
the BİLİMDER Women’s
Commission supported
the Gaza flotilla with
fund-raising events they
organized. Some of the
fund-raising events also
included photo exhibitions.
Our volunteers also
established promotional
stands in Istanbul, Bursa-
İnegöl, Çorum, İzmit-
Derince, Kilis, Manisa and
Şanlıurfa. In Sakarya, a
photographic exhibition
was organized with a
Palestinian theme, and a
promotional stand, and
a large model ship was
constructed.
 16 SPOTLIGHT: RAMADAN Zakat and alms as an individual and social value

Zakat and alms

as an individual and
social value
Zakat, one of the fundamental principles of Islam and recognized
as one of the pillars of Islam, which help us to successfully
conclude our journey on the earth, is of great importance.
Dr. Fatma Akdokur
 Zakat and alms as an individual and social value
I
slam is the only religion that
has the fundamental principles
required for people to complete
their journey on earth in peace and
well being and to achieve happiness
and complacency in the Hereafter.
Allah, charging all people, men and
women, as His vicegerent on the
earth, has notified us through Islam of
the principles that we need to abide
by to fulfill this sacred task in the best
manner.
Zakat is a financial duty that ensures
financial and spiritual purity and
maturity. Allah has made zakat a
duty for us, ordering the wealthy to
give a certain portion of their property
and/or money to the poor and needy
every year; this is considered to be
the right of the poor and the duty
of the wealthy. In the Qur’an, Allah
speaks about how people of taqwa
SPOTLIGHT: RAMADAN
(piety) behave on the earth, telling
us: “…and in their property is the right
of those in need and deprived.” (al-
Zaariyaat; 51/19) “They do not forget
that those in need and those deprived
have a certain right on the properties
they own.” (al-Maarij; 70/22-25);
thus Muslims were prepared for this
holy task even in the Meccan period.
People who fulfill this duty purify
themselves and the society they live in
in conformity with the literal meaning
of zakat: “Take alms (zakat) from their
property. By that, you shall have them
cleansed, purified and improved.” (at-
Taubah; 9/103)
Zakat is also referred to as “alms”.
Alms is a broader term than zakat,
which involves all forms of donations
and grants made voluntarily for the
sake of Allah. Zakat, in a limited
sense, and alms, in the broadest
17
sense, also express an economic
system whereby Islam uses these
donations as means of social
solidarity to meet the financial and
spiritual needs of individuals and
society.
There can be no doubt that humans
are social beings, and have a variety
of relations with other individuals
in the society into which they were
born. In this network of relations,
the person is one who takes and
gives; in other words, they benefit
and make contributions. For the
healthy survival of the society,
such exchanges should continue
at a certain degree of balance and
harmony. Islam, which aims at a
society in which everybody can live
the most humane life, establishes
social security organizations which
balance the economic differences
 18 SPOTLIGHT: RAMADAN
among people, reducing the
imbalances to a minimum; this
economic balance is the most
important factor to ensure peace
and brotherhood among people.
Thus, zakat and alms, and charitable
organizations and foundations that
are established in connection with
these, provide social services such as
schools, bridges, communal kitchens,
accommodation centers, water wells,
and orphanages, contributing not
only to a more humane life, but also
proving indispensable for social peace
and harmony.
These forms of social solidarity that
have been developed with the zakat
and alms are targeted at reducing the
imbalances that might arise from the
differences in wealth between the rich
and the poor to a minimum. Islam is
opposed to the monopoly of wealth in
only a few hands. With the importance
it attaches to zakat and alms Islam
indicates that such an imbalance that
Zakat and alms as an individual and social value
might occur between the rich and the
poor, expecting not only the wealthy,
but also everybody with a certain
economic power, to develop a moral
sensitivity for looking after those who
are worse off: “…so that it will not be
a perpetual distribution among the rich
from among you…” (Al-Hashr; 59/7)”
The realization of this target is also
an important step toward ensuring the
happiness of the individuals and the
well-being of the community. Islamic
scholars note that all those who have
such possibilities are responsible
for the social discomfort and
disadvantages that might arise due to
an inadequate contribution of alms in
society. As a matter of fact, although
the presence of both wealthy and
poor in a society is natural, it is the
most fundamental task of humanity
that those who are economically
comfortable act to prevent the already
existing economic difference between
the rich and the poor from turning
into a greater gap, and to prevent
conditions where the rich will become
richer and the poor poorer.
Zakat and alms constitute the two
most important religious services that
remind us that the True Owner of all
blessings is Allah. Those who are
well off should be aware that when
earning remuneration for their efforts
on the earth that such earnings have
been granted to them as a result of
Allah’s favor. This awareness is a
driving force that causes one to thank
the True Owner. We need to return
that which Allah has favored us with
to other people and the creatures:
“Say: “Verily my Lord enlarges and
restricts the Sustenance to such of his
servants as He pleases: and nothing
do ye spend in the least (in His cause)
but He replaces it: for He is the Best
of those who grant Sustenance.”
(Saba’; 34/39) Those who do so are
aware of the thanks and gratitude for
being able to make such benefices, as
well as being grateful for their security;
 Zakat and alms as an individual and social value
they experience the peace of being
able to meet their needs by their own
hands and to help their brothers in
need; indeed we are all like parts of
the same body.
Man is a weak being. In particular, the
ambition to own property and wealth,
which are some of the blessings of life
on this earth, are part of our character
that needs to be disciplined. Thus, the
religious services of zakat and alms
are aimed to eliminate the ambition for
property and wealth. Human beings
become free by ridding themselves
of the passion to own via contributing
to others. Consequently, the aim is
our love for Allah, and the desire to
fulfill our responsibilities to the other
individuals in the society they live in.
Zakat and alms are seen to be a
means of relating, communicating
and sharing between people. As a
matter of fact, the Muslim who pays
zakat is concerned about the poor
people in the community, they search
for and find needy people and try
to help them. Prophet Muhammad
drew our attention to the importance
of communication between Muslims,
SPOTLIGHT: RAMADAN
which should be kept alive at all
times: “All Muslims are as one; if one
has a headache, they will all have a
headache, if one has a pain in their
eye, then they all will have pains in
their eyes.” (al-Jami al-Saghir) “A
believer who sleeps full when their
neighbor is hungry is not one of us.”
(al-Targhib wa al-Terhib, III. 358).
As a result, zakat is an important
religious service which not only
develops and matures our individual
personalities, but also creates social
peace and well being in society; it
teaches us that doing something for
others is also the key to our individual
prosperity.
Bibliography
1. İslâm’a Giriş, Diyanet İşleri
Başkanlığı Yayınları.
2. İlmihal, Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı
Yayınları.
3. Döndüren, Hamdi. Ticaret ve İktisat
İlmihali, Altınoluk Yayınları.
4. Şentürk, Lütfi-Seyfettin Yazıcı.
İslâm İlmihali, Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı
Yayınları.
19
How our foundation makes
use of zakat and Ramadan
alms in its activities
The IHH Humanitarian Relief
Foundation has been accepting zakat
and Ramadan alms since it was first
established. The criteria of Islamic law
are taken as the basis in accepting and
distributing religious donations. There is
a special operation team that fulfills the
religious services of our donators. Our
team classifies and reports the received
donations in line with their purpose. If
the donated zakat or Ramadan alms
have no special condition attached,
then the donations gathered for use
in the projects - in compliance with
the zakat condition - suggested by the
foundation. However, if the donated
zakat or Ramadan alms bear a special
condition (for orphans, education,
cataract surgery, water-wells, schools,
vocational courses, mosques etc.), then
the donation is used to that end.
The donations are not used in any
activity that lies outside the script of
the donator or the preconditions of the
donation.
The amounts of money donated to
the funds that are related to the fields
of activities of the foundation - water-
wells, orphan sponsorship, Ramadan
campaigns, qurban by proxy, zakat,
alms, school construction/repair,
mosque construction/repair, vocational
courses for women and young people,
the construction of orphanages,
agricultural support, etc. - are classified
and used in the relevant charity.
Our foundation is careful in the
acceptance, determination and
classification of religious donations
like zakat, qurban and Ramadan alms,
and is sensitive about making sure that
those in need receive their donations.
20 SPOTLIGHT

TOGE T H E R W E C A N
CHANGE T H E W O R L D !
 SPOTLIGHT 21

th e IH H Hu m an ita ria n Relief Foundation has

nteers
With the support of volu ox im at el y 20 years; IHH has
e contin en ts fo r ap pr
carried goodness to fiv rld…
n re lie f to 12 0 co un tri es and regions of the wo
taken humanitaria
Orphans
ts due to war,
er ch ildr en wh o ha ve lost one or both paren
We look aft s taken on the care of
ich, as of June 2010, ha
disaster etc... IHH, wh prioritizes orphans at
countries and regions,
16.003 orphans in 27 n and love to them at
da n as we ll. It tak es your greetings, affectio
Rama
with eid gifts.
the iftar tables, laden

s
Immigrants/Refugee
ns in different places
ng under harsh conditio
Millions of people are livi e to leaving their
the wo rld; peop le are forced to be refugees du
aroun d ch people have
us e of wa r, invas ion or natural disasters. Su
homes be ca
s, such as jobs, food,
ved of fundamental need
been substantially depri we are also continuing
this
commodation. At IHH,
education, health and ac mps and ref ugee ten ts.
da n, tak ing hu ma nitarian relief to refugee ca
Rama
Elderly in need
dan; they are not left
erl y are no t ab andoned during Rama
Th e eld h them, and meet
lat e or alo ne . We vis it them, spend time wit
deso
their needs.

Poor families
poverty, caused
ral people are fighting
In today’s world, seve l imbalance caused
by
he r to wa r or na tur al disasters, or socia we ca n
eit support
ec on om ic or so cia l reasons. With your
politica l, to try to eliminate the
lidarity and sharing,
contribute to social so d to strive to spread
ve people in need an
disadvantages that lea
the world.
goodness all around
22 SPOTLIGHT IHH 2010 Ramadan activities

IHH 2010
Ramadan activities
W
ith its Ramadan activities in 2010, IHH Foundation for
Humanitarian Relief will organize iftars, food pack distribution,
aid for orphans, clothing and educational assistance, as well Contents of the
as activities in 60 provinces throughout Turkey and in 61 countries and food packs
regions all over the world. Within the scope of such activities support will Rice, bulgur
be provided to those in trouble and projects will be developed to solve wheat, dried chick
the problems. peas, haricot
beans, granulated
This year, IHH will again take the zakat and donations from Turkey to
sugar, tea, instant
those in need in regions that are suffering from war, disaster and poverty.
soup, spaghetti,
Within the scope of IHH Ramadan activities in 2010; vegetable oil, flour,
tomato paste, salt,
Iftar events Zakat and alms relief olives and jam.
Iftar events will be organized in IHH supports those in need
regions where the poor and needy by sending your zakat, alms,
live throughout the world and in Ramadan alms and donations
Turkey. to the needy in regions affected
by war, occupation and natural
Food pack distribution disasters.
In 61 countries and regions
throughout the world, in 60 cities in Educational aid
Turkey Stationery materials are provided
to students who are in need,
Mobile kitchen and iftar events studying within the country and
In 23 provinces in Turkey abroad.

Aid for orphans and those inneed
In addition to the continuous
support for orphans by IHH, food,
clothing/eid clothing, educational
and occupational support will be
provided throughout Ramadan for
orphans in various regions.
The cost of a food pack for one
person: 30
Eid clothing for one child: 35
Iftar amount for one person: 2,5
Stationery amount for one
student: 12,5

You can take on the cost of an entire iftar meal organized with our mobile
kitchen, or cover the iftar cost of one or more people.
 IHH 2010 Ramadan activities SPOTLIGHT 23

61 countries and regions

all over the world,
60 cities in Turkey!
BALKANS CAUCASIA CENTRAL ASIA
Albania Abkhazia Ingushetia Afghanistan
Bosnia-Herzegovina Adjara Kabardino-Balkaria Kazakhstan
Bulgaria Adyghe Karachay-Cherkessia Kyrgyzstan
Kosovo Azerbaijan Crimea Mongolia
Macedonia Chechnya Ossetia Uzbekistan
Dagestan Tajikistan
Georgia Tatarstan

SOUTH ASIA
Aceh
Arakan
Bangladesh
Philippines-Moro
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Vietnam

MIDDLE EAST
Palestine
Iraq
Lebanon
Syria
Jordan
SOUTH AMERICA Yemen
Ecuador
Haiti
Cuba
AFRICA
Burkina Faso Malawi
Algeria Mauritania
Chad Nigeria
TURKEY
Djibouti Rwanda Adana Çankırı İzmit Samsun
Ethiopia Sierra Leone Adapazarı Çorum İzmit-Gebze Siirt
Gambia Somalia Adıyaman Denizli Kahramanmaraş Sinop
Ghana Sudan Afyonkarahisar Diyarbakır Kars Sivas
Guinea Tanzania Ağrı Edirne Kastamonu Şanlıurfa
Cameroon Uganda Ankara Elazığ Kayseri Şanlıurfa-
Kenya Zimbabwe Antalya Erzincan Kilis Siverek
Madagascar Ardahan Erzurum Konya Şırnak
Aydın Eskişehir Kütahya Tekirdağ
Batman Gaziantep Malatya Tokat
Bayburt Hakkâri Manisa Trabzon
Bingöl Hatay Mardin Tunceli
Bitlis Hatay- Mersin Uşak
Bitlis-Tatvan İskenderun Muş Van
Bolu Isparta Nevşehir Yalova
Bursa İstanbul Ordu Zonguldak
Bursa-İnegöl İzmir Osmaniye
 24 SPOTLIGHT Ramadan 2010 Turkey

Ramadan 2010 Turkey

CITY CITY
1 Adana Mobile kitchen iftar service 31 İzmit
Mobile kitchen iftar service
2 Adapazarı   İzmit-Gebze
3 Adıyaman Mobile kitchen iftar service 32 K. Maraş
4 Afyonkarahisar   33 Kars  
5 Ağrı   34 Kastamonu  
6 Ankara 35 Kayseri Mobile kitchen iftar service
7 Antalya Mobile kitchen iftar service 36 Kilis
8 Ardahan   37 Konya Mobile kitchen iftar service
9 Aydın 38 Kütahya
10 Batman 39 Malatya
11 Bayburt 40 Manisa
12 Bingöl Mobile kitchen iftar service 41 Mardin
Bitlis 42 Mersin  
13 Mobile kitchen iftar service
Bitlis-Tatvan 43 Muş  
14 Bolu 44 Nevşehir
45 Ordu Food
15 Bursa
Mobile kitchen iftar service Food aid box
Bursa-İnegöl aid box 46 Osmaniye Mobile kitchen iftar service
distribution
16 Çankırı   distribution 47 Samsun Mobile kitchen iftar service
17 Çorum Mobile kitchen iftar service 48 Siirt Mobile kitchen iftar service
18 Denizli 49 Sinop Mobile kitchen iftar service
19 Diyarbakır Mobile kitchen iftar service 50 Sivas Mobile kitchen iftar service
20 Edirne Şanlıurfa
51
21 Elazığ   Şanlıurfa- Mobile kitchen iftar service
22 Erzincan Mobile kitchen iftar service Siverek
23 Erzurum 52 Şırnak  
24 Eskişehir 53 Tekirdağ  
25 Gaziantep 54 Tokat Mobile kitchen iftar service

26 Hakkâri   55 Tunceli
27 Hatay 56 Trabzon
Mobile kitchen iftar service
İskenderun 57 Uşak Mobile kitchen iftar service

28 Isparta Mobile kitchen iftar service 58 Van Mobile kitchen iftar service

29 İstanbul 59 Yalova
30 İzmir Mobile kitchen iftar service 60 Zonguldak
ACTIVITIES
 26 ACTIVITIES Social aid

Water wells in Ethiopia,

Somalia and Cameroon have
connected people to life
IHH has opened water wells in eight countries, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad,
Somalia, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Djibouti and Ethiopia; within the last six months
9 wells have been opened in Ethiopia, 17 in Somalia, and 22 in Cameroon,
countries that are fighting against drought.
 Social aid ARAŞTIR-
ACTIVITIES
MA 27

The wells that have been opened are
very important for African countries
in which access to clean drinking
water resources is limited; many
people lose their lives every year due
to illnesses caused by dirty water,
and inadequate irrigation means that
efficient agriculture cannot be carried
out. The increase of water resources
plays an important role for the
contribution to peace in crisis regions
as well.
Nur Ömer İpek, Şehit Metin Yüksel,
Zehra-Sara-Munise Çekmegil,
Kâğıthane Ekrem Cevahir Çok
Programlı Lisesi-İmam Hatip Bölümü,
Suphi Beradi-Sevim Gündüz, Duaya
Muhtaç Bir Kardeşiniz, Mustafa
Well, Recai-Ayfer Kaya, Fuat
Karadoğan ve Ailesi, Zeytinburnu
Batı Trakyalılar Merhamet Well, Lütfi
Danabaş, Zeytinburnu Gönüllüleri

IHH has constructed water wells

in eight countries, Burkina Faso,
Guinea, Chad, Somalia, Sudan,
Sierre Leone, Djibouti and Ethiopia
until today, and within the last
six months nine wells have been
constructed in Ethiopia, 17 in
Somalia, and 22 in Cameroon,
which are countries undergoing a
merciless fight against drought and
thirst. The water wells that will be
used by thousands in Ethiopia are as
follows: Aliye Şenaltun Kayseri-IHH,
Meryem Şenaltun Kayseri-IHH, Hacı
Cemal Demir, Istanbul Imam Khatip
1982 7A, Halil İbrahim Kılıç, İshak
Hafızoğlu, Mehmet Fazile Açılan, Rahmet Well, Arif-Asiye Boynukalın,
Sabit Kavukçu and Saadet Elmadağ. Kardeşlik Köprüsü and the İsfalt AŞ
Çalışanları Well.
The 17 water wells constructed in
different regions of Somalia are as The IHH teams continue their
follows: Afiyet, Akar, Darusselam, activities to establish a water well in
Emir Ömer Toğay, Erdemliler Kuseri, another region where water
Derneği, Geyve, Hacı Ahmet Uzuner, shortage is being experienced in the
Hızır Aleyhisselam, Kamil Saade, Cameroon.
Kılınç Ailesi, Mevdet, Murat ve Halise
Aksu, Özay Emren Aytekin, Özcan Thanks to IHH from The
Ailesi, Özden, Şifa Barış and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Tarsus Merve Eczanesi Water Well. Cameroon

The names of the wells opened in The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Cameroon are: Murat-Vedat-Fuat
Özkaymak, Sakarya Altınovalı
Hanımlar, Zemzem-Nokta Ayşe Acar,
Merhum Sefer Acar, Terzi Hatice
Bekçi, Ümmeti Muhammed, Hüseyin-
Emine-Huriye Şahin Ailesi, Bir-i
of Cameroon has sent a letter of
thanks to IHH, stating that they
were pleased that their brothers
from Turkey have shown such close
interest in Cameroon.
28 ARAŞTIRMA Social aid
ACTIVITIES

New mosque and

school in Somalia
The IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has increased its aid
activities in Somalia in recent years, not only carrying out cataract
surgery, but also maintaining projects for constructing schools,
hospitals, mosques and water wells.

T
he IHH Humanitarian Relief
Foundation has increased its aid
activities in Somalia in recent
years, not only carrying out cataract
surgery, but also maintaining projects
for constructing schools, hospitals,
small mosques, mosques and water
wells. In June, IHH opened the 1.700
m2 Hz. Hatice Islamic Center Complex,
consisting of a school and a mosque in
the Lower Shabella region of Somalia.
Approximately 300 students will benefit
from the primary school with five
classrooms that has been constructed
Social aid ARAŞTIRMA
ACTIVITIES 29
in the Qalimow town of Lower Shabella
as part of the project. 1.500 families are
expected to benefit from the mosque.
IHH has opened a new mosque in the
capital city of Mogadishu in March.
The Mahmud Esad Coşan Mosque,
constructed on an area of 117 m2 in the
Ahemmedhuu village, 65 km to the west
of Mogadishu, was opened for religious
service with a ceremony attended by
local executives. A total of 1.450 families
are expected to benefit from the
mosque.
30 ARAŞTIRMA Social aid
ACTIVITIES

Opening of a mosque in Zanzibar

The mosque will act as a social gathering place for the Muslim
population and a center where basic religious knowledge will be
taught in this settlement, which has no other place of worship.

I
n May, IHH opened a new mosque on Zanzibar
Island in Tanzania in Africa. The Rabia Aytül
and Safiye, Binnur, Süreyya Altunok Mosque
with ablution fountain and toilets, is being used by
the people of the Muangani village of Zanzibar, an
area with a 99% Muslim population; the mosque
was constructed over an area of 208 m2. 20.000
copies of the Holy Qur’an were distributed during a
ceremony that was arranged at the opening of the
mosque. Approximately 4.000 people will benefit
from the Rabia Aytül and Safiye, Binnur, Süreyya
Altunok Mosque. The mosque will act as a social
gathering place for the Muslim population and a
center where basic religious knowledge will be
taught in this settlement, which has no other place
of worship.
 Social aid ARAŞTIR-
ACTIVITIES
MA 31

Support for activities

to mark the Mawlid*
In the Balkans and some Central Asian countries where Muslims are
limited in their ability to express themselves, the activities of the mawlid
(blassed birth) are of great significance for reinforcing feelings of unity,
togetherness, brotherhood and solidarity.

I
n the Balkan geography and in several parts
of Central Asia there is a great enthusiasm for
the “Blessed Birth”; in these regions Mawlid
activities are arranged. The IHH Humanitarian
Relief Foundation also supports NGOs that are
willing to arrange activities for the Mawlid in
Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania and Kazakhstan.
In the Balkans and some Central Asian
countries where Muslims are limited in their
ability to express themselves, the activities of
the blessed birth are of great significance for
reinforcing feelings of unity, togetherness,
brotherhood and solidarity.
*The birth of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)
 32 ACTIVITIES Social aid

16.003 orphans are no longer alone

Over the past months, a number of activities have been carried out for orphans, including
Sponsor Family Project for those who live in Diyarbakır Turkey, Lebanon and Albania. In April, in
Diyarbakır, an introduction breakfast was organized with 40 orphans who were being cared for.

F
rom June 2010 the IHH
Humanitarian Relief Foundation,
perpetually meets the needs of
16.003 orphans in 27 different countries
and regions with the Sponsor Family
Project. Monetary grants have been
provided for orphans at certain intervals
within the framework of this project,
which works towards building morale and
motivation for the orphans with organized
activities.
Over the past months, a number of
activities have been carried out for
orphans, including Sponsor Family
Project for those who live in Diyarbakır,
Lebanon and Albania. In April, in
Diyarbakır, an introduction breakfast was
organized with 40 orphans who were
being cared for. The IHH Orphan Unit
employees and the representatives of

some NGOs were involved in carrying out
the activities in the region. Several gifts
were delivered to the orphans during the
breakfast. Again in April, a Mawlid was
carried out in Albania for orphans. 72
orphans participated in the activity during
which various gifts were distributed.
For the 90 orphans resident in Istanbul,
a visit to Turkish historical city Çanakkale
tour was arranged with the support of
the Küçükçekmece Municipality in April,
along with their families and volunteers.
Social aid
IHH Orphan Unit in Lebanon
IHH Orphan Unit Project Coordinators,
Emrin Çebi and Nübüvvet Akbay,
attended the meeting entitled “Rights
of the Children under Occupation
and the Provision of International
Protection”, which was organized
in April in Lebanon. In the meeting,
which lasted for three days, Çebi and
Akbay made a presentation about the
condition of orphans in Gaza. After the
panel, visits were made to the Burc al-
ARAŞTIR-
ACTIVITIES
MA 33
Beracine Refugee Camp in Beirut and
the Palestinian camps in Ketermaya,
as well as sister-organizations that are
involved in related activities. The IHH
delegation was given information about
orphan activities by these organizations.
Then some families that were receiving
permanent support were visited. Our
foundation, takes on the care of a total of
355 children in Lebanon via the Sponsor
Family System; 55 of these children are
from Lebanon, while 300 are Palestinian
refugees.
 34 ACTIVITIES Social aid
Istanbul Culture and Training Center
opened in Bosnia-Herzegovina
O
n March 29, 2010 IHH,
which makes contributions
to religious, cultural and
social life with its projects in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, opened the Istanbul
Culture and Training Center in
Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-
Herzegovina. The members of the IHH
Administrative Board, Osman Atalay
and Emin Şen also participated in the
opening. The opening of the center, in
which courses in religious sciences,
Turkish and English are to be taught,
as well as computer courses, attracted
great interest. After the carrying out of
some research, relief for the families of
martyrs, orphans and families in need
will also be provided.
The center was also visited by Emine
Erdoğan, the wife of Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Mrs.
Erdoğan, after listening to what activities
were to be pursued in the center, said
that she hoped similar efforts would be
made in other Balkan countries.

40.151 cataract patients
have seen the light
T
he Africa Cataract Project, which
was realized over three years
with the cooperation of the IHH
Humanitarian Relief Foundation and
the Turkish International Cooperation
and Development Agency (TIKA), has
brought light to a number of cataract
patients.
IHH, maintaining health care in Mekelle,
a city in the Tigray state of Ethiopia,
first carried out ophthalmologic
examinations on 1.000 people in the
Health aid ARAŞTIRMA
region. Patients were monitored, and
were given eye drops and various
medicines. After the initial examination,
210 cataract patients were operated
on. The number of surgeries performed
in cooperation with TIKA in Ethiopia
numbered 4.010; the target is to
perform 10.000 surgeries.
Because of the lack of medical
personnel and financial opportunities in
African countries, cataract patients live
imprisoned in darkness. Although there
ACTIVITIES 35
are approximately 500.000 cataract
patients in Ethiopia, there are only 200
ophthalmologists working in the country.
IHH, which has financed cataract
operations in 10 different countries
-Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Togo, Benin,
Ghana, Chad, Niger, Mali and Burkina
Faso- has brought light to the eyes of
a total of 40.155 cataract patients in
Africa with this project. It is hoped that
this figure will reach 100.000 within two
years.
36 ARAŞTIRMA Emergency aid
ACTIVITIES

Support for earthquake

victims in Chile
A
fter Haiti, IHH has now brought relief to Chile in Latin America.
IHH teams took emergency aid to Chile, where on 27 February an
earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale and the subsequent
tsunami created great damage. Two lorries of food, water, diapers and
emergency aid supplies were distributed to the earthquake victims during the
distributions that took place in Concepcion in March.
 Emergency aid ARAŞTIR-
ACTIVITIES
MA 37

The tragedy of the

people of Arakan persists
In March, 52 children and 30 women, a total of 130 people have lost their lives
due to starvation in Kutupalong, one of the Arakan camps in Bangladesh; in this
camp thirst, starvation, epidemics and poverty are common.

T
he drama of the Arakan
people, under the occupation
of Myanmar since 1948,
continues. Nearly half of the four
million population of Arakan has taken
refugee in neighboring countries like
Pakistan, Thailand, India, Malaysia
and Bangladesh. There are about
100.000 refugees from Arakan in the
three refugee camps that are located
by the Bangladeshi border and in
other unofficial refugee camps. But
these people hold neither refugee
nor citizenship status in Bangladesh
and therefore cannot work to earn a
living. In March, 52 children and 30
women, a total of 130 people have
lost their lives due to starvation in
Kutupalong, one of the Arakan camps
in Bangladesh; in this camp thirst,
starvation, epidemics and poverty
are common. After the deaths in
the region, IHH teams carried out
investigations in the refugee camps at
the end of March; as a first step they
distributed 10 kilos of rice for each of
the 10.000 families.
 38 ARAŞTIRMA Domestic aid
ACTIVITIES

Support by
IHH for autistic students
A majority of autistic children suffer from different levels of mental
retardation and have difficulty in perceiving the world.There are only eight
schools in Istanbul which educate autistic children.

A
utism is known to be a
developmental disorder that
begins before the age of three
and lasts throughout life, affecting the
formation of social and communication
skills. A majority of autistic children
suffer from different levels of mental
retardation and have difficulty in
perceiving the world around them.
There are only eight schools in Istanbul
which educate autistic children. 62
students of different ages and levels
are educated at the Autistic Child
Educational Center in Kağıthane,
which is regularly supported by IHH.
IHH provides a support of supplies,
consisting of annual cleaning materials,
a refrigerator, a washing machine,
a teacher’s closet, a large table for
meetings, and 2 whiteboards, as
well as materials such as skill cubes,
concept sets, wooden number scales,
and sewing game sets.
 Domestic aid ARAŞTIRMA
ACTIVITIES 39

Aid for Chechen immigrants

IHH provides regular aid to Chechen families living in Istanbul and Yalova on a monthly basis,
providing dried foods, meat and cleaning materials for the immigrants.

P
eriodic aids are provided for Chechen families that
are living in camps in various provinces of Turkey,
with the rent, accommodation, food, education,
health and various needs of the families being covered.
IHH provides regular aid to Chechen families living in
Istanbul and Yalova on a monthly basis, providing dried
foods, meat and cleaning materials for the immigrants.
116 people from 33 families have benefited from this aid.
40 ACTIVITIES Domestic aid
 Domestic aid ARAŞTIR-
ACTIVITIES
MA 41

A helping hand to Hakkari,

Şanlıurfa and Muş
Building a drinking fountain in Hakkari and Şanlıurfa, IHH
also has established a playground for Muş Korkut Nursery
School, which provides educational services for 73 children
from the 3-5 age group; this school reports to the Muş
Korkut District Directorate of National Education.

A
s a result of a project carried out by
IHH in the Kaval village, 60 km from
Hakkari, which can only be reached
through the Levni Mountains, a drinking
fountain was constructed. The fountain that
serves the village of 50 houses and the
people of the neighborhood who use that
route was opened in June.
A fountain was also opened in June in the
Bayırözü village, in the Siverek district of
Şanlıurfa; the fountain serves 150 houses.
The fountain that was constructed in the
Bayırözü village on the Siverek-Çermik road
will fulfill an important need for the local
people.
Playground for our children in Muş
IHH established a playground for Muş Korkut
Nursery School, which provides educational
service to 73 children from the 3-5 age
group, and which reports to Muş Korkut
District Directorate of National Education.
The playground, constructed for the nursery
school that was lacking a playing field and
which was operating with limited possibilities,
was commissioned in June.
42 ACTIVITIES Volunteer activities

Volunteer activities
Our volunteers continue to support the Sponsor Family Project which aims to
meet the educational and daily needs of orphans.

Taking orphans
hands to share
O
ur volunteers continue to
support the sponsor family
activities that aim to meet the
educational and daily needs of orphans.
The Ayder Women’s Branch granted
a variety of food to be put on sale at
the IHH’s Orphan Support Center. The
women volunteers in Alanya sent local
Volunteer activities
food products to the Orphan Support
Center and sold them to raise money
for orphans. The revenue from a fund-
raising activity sale in Sivas was also
donated for the orphans. A fund-raising
breakfast event was arranged for
Palestinian orphans by IHH volunteers
in Bolu. Our volunteers in Başakşehir
held a fund-raising event over two
weeks to raise money for the orphanage
in Moro, the Philippines.
ACTIVITIES 43
Wells for our brothers and
sisters who are longing for
water
Because access to clean drinking water
is difficult in Africa, and as a result
many diseases and deaths occur,
people in Turkey, aware of this problem,
have supported our well projects. Our
volunteers in İzmit had one well opened
in Sudan and one in Mongolia, and two
built in Ethiopia from the funds they
raised. Our volunteers in Van opened
two wells in Burkina Faso; and the
Erzurum Anatolian Youth Association
had one well opened in Somalia and
one in Cameroon each. Our volunteers
in Istanbul-Yenibosna joined hands to
open wells and organized a bake sale
that lasted for three days.
For a more beautiful world
Small mosques are highly important
in solidifying the unity of Muslims.
Our volunteers from İzmit raised
the funds for a small mosque to be
constructed for our Muslim brothers
in the Sudan to increase the number
44 ACTIVITIES Volunteer activities

of places where they can pray

together. Moreover, our volunteers
not only sponsored the distribution
of 2.500 Qur’ans in Sudan, but also
supported education projects for
imams in Kyrgyzstan.

In Erzurum, the AGD Women’s

Commission donated for Gaza.
The volunteers are sponsoring 13
orphans and have raised funds for
five cataract surgeries in Africa.

The Hilal Group arranged a fund-

raising event to raise money to
pay for the construction of schools,
mosques and houses in Gaza.

Kocaeli volunteers arranged for a

fund-raising event for the Palestine
Yermuk Refugee Camp in Syria.

Binding the wounds in Haiti

After the earthquake in Haiti in

January 2010, our volunteers
mobilized to bind the wounds of
the people living in the region. The
members of AYSİT Istanbul Anatolian
Side Women’s NGO Platform and the
personnel of the İsar Solidarity Group
Regional Directorate of Anatolia
donated the revenue they earned
from the fund-raising breakfast to
our foundation to be given to the
earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Arakan and Eastern Turkistan

Associations on the Anatolian side of

Istanbul took action to raise money
for Arakan, a country which has
suffered under the severe destructive
policies of Burma for more than 60
years. Volunteers in the Ümraniye
Yeşil Vadi Mansions organized a
bake sale and sent the revenue
to the refugees from Arakan. The
İsar Solidarity Group, MEKDER,

SÜREYYADER, ÇINARDER and
HÜRDER also arranged public
conferences. Women volunteers
raised funds to send food packs
to the refugees in Arakan, and
volunteers from Beyoğlu-Cihangir
also arranged a bake-sale.
The violations of rights and the
persecution of the people of Eastern
Turkistan who have been under
Chinese occupation for more than
half a century were discussed in
meetings arranged by YEKDER and
the Eastern Turkistan Educational
Association. The Esenler BBP
Women’s Branch also organized a
conference on Eastern Turkistan,
and opened a photographic
exhibition.
Our little volunteers with big
hearts
A presentation was made to the
students at Mavi Bulutlar Nursery
School, as well as home school
students and their parents; after the
presentations, the students donated
their money boxes for the orphans
in Arakan. A presentation was made
to the students of the private Sultan
Fatih High School, who worked to
open a well in Africa. The students
of Büşra Nursery School donated
Volunteer activities
their money boxes for orphans. A
presentation on Haiti and Palestine
was made for students at the
Esenler Municipality Information
House. In addition, the students
of the Human Foundation Home
School, who visited our foundation,
were informed about the activities of
IHH. For the students of Sadabad
Private High School, a presentation
was made about the flotilla to Gaza,
while bulletins and models of the
ships were distributed; the students
donated as much as they could from
their allowances. Students from
the private Şefkat High School also
supported the flotilla with the fund-
raising events they held; the students
visited our foundation and were given
information about our foundation
and the flotilla. Students from the
Ravza Nursery School visited our
foundation and a presentation was
made to them about the importance
of sharing. Students from the Çınar
Children’s Club visited our foundation
to donate their allowances to
orphans.
Our young volunteers
Students from the Bakırköy
Vocational Religious High School
(IHL) were given information and
a lecture about the Gaza convoy
ACTIVITIES 45
and IHH’s activities. Students from
the Boğaziçi University arranged
a fund-raising event that lasted
for two days to support the flotilla.
Students from Alfred University also
organized a fund-raising event and
a photograph exhibit that lasted for
three days to support the flotilla.
Students of the Marmara University
Faculty of Theology sponsored
13 orphans and organized a
lecture about “Orphans in the
World”. Students from Kâğıthane
IHL organized a fund-raiser to
support the humanitarian relief
flotilla. Photographs of Palestine
were exhibited accompanied
by a cinevision demonstration
on Palestine. Students from the
Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty opened
a photograph exhibition on Palestine
at the university campus. Kadıköy
IHL students distributed promotional
materials at their schools to support
the humanitarian relief flotilla.
Students at the Emniyettepe Girl’s
Qur’an Course held a presentation
on the Sudan. The students started
an activity to support the Qur’an
Distribution Project in Darfur.
Students at the European Islamic
University raised funds with the sale
of Turkish Delight to support the
humanitarian relief flotilla.
 46 FUTURE PROJECTS IN BRIEF
Palestine Gaza Psychological
support project for children
I
HH projects are underway in Gaza,
a city that was razed to the ground
in 2008-2009 and which has been
under siege from the air, land and
Lebanon Purchase of medical equipment
L
ebanon is a Middle Eastern
country in which there is a large
number of Palestinian refugees.
There are 450.000 Palestinian
refugees living here and they are
deprived of the most fundamental
human rights, like education, working
sea since 2007. Part of the support
project planned for children includes
the support of 1.000 children at pre-
school and primary school level. The
and receiving treatment. IHH has
carried out various projects to support
the refugees here; in this context, there
have been efforts to raise money to
purchase an echo-doppler device for
the Khalid bin al-Walid Health Center
in the Ayn al Hilwah Refugee Camp.
cost of the project, which involves
social activities, consisting of sports
and education for children, is 63.500
dollars.
As there is not enough equipment at
the center, which serves thousands of
refugees, the possibility to receiving
treatment here is very restricted. The
cost of the project, which will also
benefit the Palestinian refugees, is
60.000 dollars.
 FUTURE PROJECTS IN BRIEF 47

Sudan Darfur Project to meet the

needs of newborn babies
N
yala, the home to 1.5 million
people from different tribes
and the capital city of the
Northern Darfur region in Sudan, is a
city with a large amount of migration,
due to the civil war that has lasted for
years. More than half of the population
can survive only on the aid that comes
from social relief organizations, and
there are several refugee camps
in this city. In the camps, where
there is hardly any medical service
substructure, the newborn mortality
rate is high. As part of this project
IHH has organized relief activities
for many years, aiming to meet the
fundamental requirements of the
newborns in the camps of the region,
such as medicine, clothing, diapers,
baby food, towels etc. It is intended
that this project will last for a year and
the fundamental needs of an average
of 2.000 babies will be met. The total
cost of the project is 50.000 euros.
 48 FUTURE PROJECTS IN BRIEF
Turkey Elazığ Fountain construction project
O
kçular village, a village
consisting of 160 houses in the
Kovancılar district of Elazığ,
is one of the settlements that were
Palestine Al-Quds Project to repair
houses around the Al-Aqsa Mosque
A
l-Quds, the most important
city in Palestine, was the
original qibla and is one of
the most sacred places for Muslims.
Al-Quds has been under occupation
since 1967 and is in danger of losing
affected greatly by the earthquake
that occurred in the region in March.
A new fountain is to be built so that
the villagers who suffered from the
its true identity as a result of Israeli
policies. The restoration of five houses
around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-
Quds, the political and demographic
structure of which is under threat will
be undertaken as part of this project.
destruction of the fountain can meet
their water needs, as they survive with
agriculture and animal husbandry. The
total cost of the project is 4.000 Euros.
The cost of the project, involving the
restoration of a total of five houses
at the Liglag Constellation Quarter,
Mucahideen Quarter, Saide Quarter
and Cabshe Quarter; these are the
oldest quarters of Al-Quds.
 FUTURE PROJECTS IN BRIEF 49

Thailand Pattani Orphanage project

P
attani is the territory in the
south of Thailand, consisting
of the states of Yala,
Narativat, Satun and Pattani; 80%
of the population is Malay Muslims.
The people of Pattani have suffered
from the assimilation policies of the
Thai regime since 1938, and their
freedoms have been violated in
several aspects of their daily life;
they have fought for independence
for over 70 years. The estimated
number of orphans in Pattani, which
has a population of three million, is
in the tens of thousands. This project
aims to construct an orphanage
with four dormitories, classrooms,
a kitchen and a dining hall, and is
planned for the Narativat region
of Pattani. The total area that can
be utilized in the planned building
consists of two floors and measures
400 m² . The cost of the project is
98.000 dollars.
 50 FOCUS
For a good future
The summer courses arranged by IHH in keeping with the requests from
different countries and regions are important in establishing the values of
self-sacrifice, love and solidarity.
Ayşe Olgun
T
he IHH Humanitarian Relief
Foundation, since the day it was
first established, has always
given importance to educational
activities, and bases its services
on education. While carrying out
humanitarian relief for more than
100 countries over five continents,
IHH has considered educational
assistance to be an integral part of
these fundamental needs. Thus, IHH
has supported children and young
people in countries and regions
with educational activities to ensure
development in the relevant areas.
Naturally, the importance of individual
training is great, as this ensures
unity and development in a society.
To prevent corruption in societies
is only possible if the fundamental
values are preserved. It is extremely
important that individuals be educated
to desire for others what they desire
for themselves. The summer courses
arranged by IHH in different countries
For a good future
and regions are important in that
sense; they are sacred steps that are
taken to establish the values of self-
sacrifice, love and solidarity.
IHH, by arranging summer courses
in various regions, has made good
use of the summer months. Summer
courses give the children the chance
to rest after a year’s hard work, and
by providing time enriched with social,
cultural and sporting activities the
idleness of the summer is overcome to
 For a good future FOCUS 51

help with the intense educational year

that lies ahead.

The summer courses organized

by IHH involves classes that have
religious and moral content as well as
supporting classes in social sciences;
general knowledge competitions,
language and computer courses,
soccer tournaments and picnics. In
this context, the participants learned
important values like solidarity,
fraternity, cooperation and sharing.
Through the summer courses activity
IHH has changed the perception of
holidays being a time for rest, rather
acting in the awareness that the
summer months constitute a period
of great benefit in the lives of young
people. As a matter of fact, a calmness
of body and spirit can only be ensured
via a disciplined education; it is
common knowledge that a stagnant
life destroys the mind and the body.
An educational program consisting
of miscellaneous social activities is
essential to use time wisely, as well as
ensuring personal development and
benefit to the society.

The summer courses not only

contribute to the development of the
spiritual, moral and intellectual skills of
the children, but also help to reinforce
what they have learned over the year.
Summer courses fulfill an important
need for children, young people
and even adults who are living in
the regions that suffer due to war
or natural disasters, and where
educational activities are below
par due to economic troubles.
Such courses provide short-term
alternative educational services in
places where schools are frequently
closed temporarily or where there are
no school buildings for educational
purposes. The courses arranged in
regions where missionary activities
 52 FOCUS
are intense function to protect and
revive them lost cultural values through
social and cultural activities. The goal
of IHH’s summer educational activities
is to ensure that the individuals in
several countries and regions, from
the Balkans to Africa, from the Middle
East to South East Asia maintain
their historical and cultural values,
and are educated as individuals that
can provide useful services to the
humanity.
Some of the regions in which
summer courses are offered
The IHH Humanitarian Relief
Foundation arranges summer courses
in Palestinian refugee camps in
For a good future
Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Albania and
Turkey. Several refugees, orphans,
young people and children who are in
need benefit from the courses.
Lebanon
Millions of Palestinians that have
sought refugee in neighboring
countries like Iraq, Syria, Jordan and
Lebanon as a result of the Israeli
invasion of their territory in 1948
deprived of their most fundamental
rights. The Palestinians in Lebanon
have been denied of their most
fundamental rights, for example,
education, for over 60 years because
of the refugee policies of that country;
they are not allowed to study at the
universities in the Lebanon. IHH aims
to mitigate the problem of education
in the region through its summer
courses. With this project, female and
male students can pass their summer
holidays effectively, educational
 For a good future FOCUS 53

programs contribute to their spiritual regions of Tirana, Shkoder, Vlora, swimming, Istanbul tours and picnics.
and moral development, and thus the Durres and Gjirokaster in Albania,
new generations will be educated for the population of which is 75%
the future. Muslim. 2.419 Albanian students took
advantage of 35 courses in 2009 within
Iraq the scope of summer courses.
One of the countries in which IHH
carries out summer course activities Turkey
is Iraq. In Iraq, occupied by the USA Orphans in our country also benefit
in 2003, families do not want to send from the summer courses activities of
their children to school due IHH. Orphans attend
to the poor economy the summer courses
and security. While Summer School organized by IHH
school repairs are Activities wherever they
under way in several Vocational courses reside. As for the
regions, school Educational activities orphans in Istanbul,
buildings can be used Language courses they are channeled
for non-educational Camps for teenagers towards the summer
purposes. In Iraq there and children courses carried
are 5 million orphans; out by different
summer camps for the non-governmental
orphans, which are supported through organizations which arrange social and
the sponsor family system, classes are cultural activities in cooperation with
offered by IHH in Islamic sciences, the IHH. The orphans attend to general
Qur’an, memorization of the Qur’an, knowledge competitions, football
computer, Turkish and Arabic. tournaments and picnic programs
as part of these courses. Chechen
Albania immigrants who are living in camps in
IHH carries out summer courses in Beykoz, Ümraniye and Fenerbahçe
Albania; this is a Balkan country in in Istanbul also take advantage of
which missionary activities are intense the summer camps arranged by IHH
and religious education is poor, having last year; they take part in classes
suffered long years of war. Educational like mathematics, Turkish, foreign
programs have been arranged in language and sporting contests,
54 FOCUS Turkey rises up for İzzet Şahin
Turkey rises up for İzzet Şahin FOCUS 55

Turkey
rises up for
İzzet Şahin
İzzet Şahin was kept under inhumane
circumstances in a little cell for 21
days. Şahin was psychologically
tortured and was released on May 17
as a result of intense reactions from
the Turkish and world public opinion,
and the efforts by senior members of
the Turkish government.
F. Zehra Bayrak

I
n November 2009, İzzet Şahin, and IHH
representative, went to Palestine to
organize a qurban project in the cities of
Al-Khalil and Nablus on the West Bank. He
started to live in Al-Quds to work towards
opening a local office of the foundation and to
learn Hebrew. He was engaged in corporate
activities and learning Hebrew at the Hebrew
University of Al-Quds. Şahin completed the
necessary activities to open the IHH office,
and was trying to find out the needs of
the Palestinians on the West Bank, and to
prepare the necessary projects.

Living in Al-Quds…

İzzet Şahin lived in a house twenty minutes

from the Al-Aqsa Mosque; he regularly wrote
his impressions about the region and shared
what he experienced there with us. In one
of his letters, he described life in Al-Quds,
saying: “Al-Quds is the stage for tens of
different lives simultaneously, maybe unlike
any other place on the world. Blast bombs,
 56 FOCUS
ambulance sirens, the Qur’an
being recited on the streets,
gongs, middlemen, sine qua non
of the markets of the East, and
fireworks climbing high from
the wedding houses: All can be
heard at the same time. Pain,
sorrow, fear, anxiety, trust, joy,
enthusiasm... All together...”
But he, a representative of
a relief organization from
Turkey, was neither inside nor
completely outside of the events
in this atmosphere of chaos….He
said: “I feel that I am somewhere
between high and voltage lines.
The passport I hold and the
religion I believe in cause the
psychological pressure imposed
on me.”
Al-Quds witnessed a number of
extraordinary days. And İzzet
Şahin was there at one of these
times. While foreign tourists
visited Al-Aqsa Mosque, fanatical
Jews tried to go inside with them,
and attempted to harass the
people in Al-Aqsa; the Palestinian
youth stayed in Al-Aqsa, at the
cost of their lives. While the
entries from the Temple Mount
and streets were full of hundreds
of policemen and soldiers,
children were blocked from going
to school and the long-suffering
officers of Al-Aqsa waited in
desperation. On another day
the Jews opened the Hurva
Synagogue, which had been
constructed for the first time by
Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Hasid in 1700.
Turkey rises up for İzzet Şahin
According to a Jewish prophecy,
this synagogue, which the Rabbi
had dreamed about, was to be
destroyed twice and constructed
again for the third time; one day
after it would be opened, the
foundations of the so-called third
temple will be laid. Therefore,
Muslims are vigilant on the day
that the synagogue opens, and
so are the invaders... There are
once again barricades on the
streets of Al-Quds, hundreds of
soldiers, and more pain…
That which fell to his share…
İzzet Şahin was at the very
center of these events. İzzet
Şahin said “I am among people
who gave their children, who
gave everything, for Palestine”.
“They made every possible
sacrifice to protect the entire
Islamic world. They awaited
help from Allah. They have
no weapons but their beliefs.
They have great concern about
tomorrow. They are not worried
about saving their own lives,
only preventing any harm being
inflicted on Al-Aqsa…”
And on April 27, 2010, İzzet
Şahin was detained by Israeli
security forces at a check point
on his return to Al-Quds from
Bethlehem, where he had gone
 Turkey rises up for İzzet Şahin
to see the IHH orphanage
project, and to visit the
artifacts from our ancestors;
he was kept in Al-Quds for
one day, and 20 days in a
small cell near Tel Aviv under
inhumane circumstances.
Şahin was psychologically
tortured and was released
on May 17 as a result of
the interference by senior
members of the Turkish
government.
In his very first moments in
Al-Quds, İzzet Şahin said “the
troubles we may encounter
on the path to freedom of Al-
Aqsa, and then Al-Quds and
all of the Palestinian territory
matter not in the least.” And he
prayed “I hope my Lord allows
me to duly fulfill our duty.”
FOCUS 57
İzzet Şahin in Israeli prison
İ
zzet Şahin, was born in 1970 in Two attorneys, MAZLUMDER
Sivas; he went to the West Bank Istanbul Branch Chairman Atty
on 28 November 2009 as the Cihat Gökdemir, and Atty Gülden
officer in charge of examination for Sönmez, as well as a translator,
IHH, to inspect humanitarian relief Hafize Zehra Öztürk, went to Al-
projects and IHH activities that Quds to observe the state of İzzet
were in progress for the Palestinian Şahin. The attorneys discovered
people, particularly orphans in that Şahin was being kept under
need, and to carry out a number of extremely inhumane conditions, in
transactions. Şahin had a visa and a room in which the window had
residency until June. been painted out, with the floor
and ceiling painted black; he was
İzzet Şahin was a humanitarian relief being held in a military prison, and
officer and humanitarian relief officers was being subjected to severe
are to be protected and political pressure
supported all kinds throughout the trial.
of circumstances; Şahin was
however, he was Şahin appeared
detained by Israeli
not a prisoner, before the court three
security forces at but he times, but his hearing
a checkpoint near was still kept in a was postponed every
Bethlehem on April time on grounds that
cell for
27 2010 in the course the investigation
of his activities. Şahin 21 days, was continuing; his
was detained for 21 while his trial was only crime was to
days under inhumane take part in relief
in progress.
circumstances in a activities. Finally,
4 square meter cell. before the court
Nevertheless, according date of May 20, İzzet
to international law, only prisoners Şahin was released on May 20
who have committed a serious crime as a result of efforts made by
can be kept in a cell for a period of the Turkish government. Major
7 days at most. Şahin was not a demonstrations were made in
prisoner, but he was still kept in a Turkey for the release of İzzet
cell for 21 days, while his trial was Şahin, and NGOs and press and
in progress. None of his daily needs media organs gave great interest
were met in the first 30 hours of the to the incident.
detention, Şahin was deprived of
food and water and was taken to the Şahin returned to Turkey on the
courtroom at the detention center evening of the same day and
of Shabak, the organization that is his statement was brief: “Turkey
responsible for the Internal Intelligence tried hard and saved her glory.
of Israel, with his hands and feet But the glory of humanity is still
chained and his eyes blindfolded. imprisoned in the Israeli prisons…”
58 IN THE FIELD IHH works with the Qatari Red Crescent and OIC in Somalia
 IHH works with the Qatari Red Crescent and OIC in Somalia IN THE FIELD 59

IHH works with the Qatari Red

Crescent and OIC in Somalia
IHH undersigned a humanitarian relief organization to take
aid to Somalia along with the OIC, the biggest organization
in the world after the UN, and the Qatari Red Crescent.
Murat Uyar

S
omalia, a country on the African
Horn, has been struggling
against civil wars, political
conflicts, economic instability and
famines for 18 years. There is no
security of life, and almost three million
people have to seek refuge in the
neighboring countries, Europe or the
USA, and thousands moved within
the country. In the first four months of
this year, in the capital of Mogadishu
alone, 94.900 people were displaced;
62.400 left the city, in contrast to the
32.180 who migrated along the Afgoye
Corridor to attain some humanitarian
relief. The remaining 32.500 people left
their houses in the capital city and had
to move to different districts or quarters
where the security was better.
Due to security issues in the region, a
13% decline was experienced in the
rate of the international relief entering
the country from September 2009. The
number of victims increased from 1.8
million to 3.2 million. More than half
of that number consisted of children
below the ages of five. The number of
those killed in the conflicts between
 60 IN THE FIELD
the government and rebel groups
increases every day. The rebel groups
target units affiliated with UN which
is carrying out humanitarian relief in
Somalia, such as distribution of food
and medical goods.
Finally, the al-Shebab group
announced that they would not allow
food distribution by the World Food
Program of the UN, and threatened that
any distribution would jeopardize their
security of life. After this, the delivery
of aid by other international relief
organizations, particularly IHH and the
Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC), came onto the agenda.
IHH expanded its activities in
Somalia
IHH undersigned a humanitarian relief
organization to take aid to Somalia
along with the OIC, the biggest
organization in the world after the UN,
and the Qatari Red Crescent. The
IHH works with the Qatari Red Crescent and OIC in Somalia
details of the coordination center to
be opened by OIC for humanitarian
relief activities were negotiated at a
meeting held on 2 and 3 May, 2010
held with President Sheikh Sherif
and Prime Minister Omer Sharmarke.
After the meeting, OIC, IHH and the
Qatari Red Crescent notified the official
bodies that they would pursue common
activities to take aid to all those in need
in Somalia, and that they would open
a coordination center to manage the
humanitarian relief operations in the
region. In addition to these, 10 more
organizations will provide support for
the donators. A joint decision was
reached to take the aid to all the people
of Somalia, without any discrimination
on ethnic, cultural or regional bases.
IHH has been with the African people
since the first day it was established.
We have never abandoned it’s the
brothers in Africa and have continued
to build several projects, like
wells, schools, mosques and small
mosques, vocational courses etc.
This coordination center, established
after the last meeting, will allow a
more systematic organization of the
humanitarian relief activities by IHH in
Somalia. The objectives of the center
were first shared with 17 local non-
governmental organizations, and then
with the local and foreign press. The
coordination center is intended to be a
historical mission to prevent domestic
migration that occurs as a result of
the civil conflicts and instability, which
have increased in recent years, and to
ensure unity and integrity in the region.
After the withdrawal of the UN World
Food Organization from the region
due to security reasons, the Somali
people were in even greater need
of humanitarian relief. In the region
known as the Afgoye Corridor, people
are trying to survive while deprived
of their fundamental needs and of
medical treatment. The daily amount
of water for a family of six is six liters,
elsewhere this might be only two liters.
One toilet is used by 212 people, and
several people are even deprived of
this possibility; 26.000 or more toilets
need to be built in the region. 650.000
people live in the Afgoye Corridor;
but since March medical service is
provided only in three hospitals. 10-
15% of the patients who go to the
hospitals are children under 5. One out
of every six children faces the risk of
death due to malnutrition.
At the same time, agriculture and animal
husbandry are also under severe risk
due to the political instability of the
country. Accommodation problems need
immediate solution. It is hoped that by
taking humanitarian aid to these regions
the conflict between Muslim groups will
come to an end and an atmosphere of
peace will be created .
WE WILL NOT FORGET
OUR MARTYRS
In May 31, 2010 Israel attacked to Mavi Marmara the passenger ship in humanitarian aid flotilla and
9 people were martyred, over 50 people were wounded. One of the woundeds is still under intensive
care. We wish patience for the families of our martyrs, and a quick recovery for our woundeds.
We thank warmly all conscientious people who has been supporting the Humanitarian Relief Flotilla.
 62 PEOPLE OF GOOD DEEDS
On the way for
humanitarian relief
F. Zehra Bayrak
S
etting one’s heart on good is
the salvation … It is to make
someone smile, make hope
spring, and be a partner to a prayer…
It is to expend time, property and
labor only to make Him content.
Sometimes it is to keep one’s nose
to the grindstone. Sometimes it
is keeping one’s distance. It is to
consider goodness at every chance.
It is leaving without a second thought.
Going is harder, harsher, and more
honorable than staying… The best of
all rewards…
“And if you are slain on the way of
Allah or you die, certainly forgiveness
from Allah and mercy is better than
what they amass.” (House of Imran;
3/157)
They chose their own way to spread
goodness on the earth through IHH
Humanitarian Relief Foundation.
Those people who first completed
their internal journey, set off to act
by choice; there was no destination
without a path… For some, the
ship was Buraq, and for some a
plane… Their route was Palestine,
Afghanistan, did it matter?… The
important thing was to travel on
the holy path… Their names were
İbrahim, Furkan, Bahattin, Cengiz,
Cevdet… What difference does it
make? They are called “martyr” in the
highest heaven…
A ship sails slowly to Gaza… It carries
the generous hands of humanity, a
child’s good news with smiling eyes,
the melody of freedom… Somewhere,
somewhere deep in the blue, it still
cruises…
 PEOPLE OF GOOD DEEDS 63

Ali Haydar Bengi

A
li Haydar Bengi was 39. He was from Diyarbakır, and he had four children.
He graduated from Al-Ezher University, Faculty of Islam and Arab
Language Studies. He was the president of the Association for Rights and
Freedoms, Education, Culture and Solidarity (AYDER). He worked night and day
for the bright future of the ummah…

Teacher Ali Haydar was studying scientific subjects, and was beloved by
everybody for his good morals and lifestyle. In recent years, he frequently
emphasized that the unity of Muslims should be ensured, and efforts should be
directed to the freeing of Al-Quds; he repeated the following prayer: “O, Allah!
Fill our heart with your eternal light, revive us with your mercy, honor us with
martyrdom to your cause.”

Cengiz Akyüz

C
engiz Akyüz was from Mardin Midyat; he was 41, the father of three
children. He was a sympathetic, helpful person with a sense of humor.
When he was filling in the attendance form for the ship, he summarized
his reason for participating in the relief flotilla as “For Allah”. Only for Him…

He took part in the activities as IHH volunteer and served in several foundations
and associations, particularly the Iskenderun Humanitarian Relief Association.
He was always smiling; he told delightful jokes and passed happiness on
to everybody. Cengiz Akyüz, sang hymns and accompanied songs with his
tambourine; he was fond of folksongs about martyrs, telling his friends: “You
will write a folksong of martyrdom for me.” Maybe his folksong is already being
written somewhere in the sky…

Cengiz Songür

C
engiz Songür 47 was born in Konya, and lived in İzmir. Cengiz Songür
was a businessman since a young age; he was known to be a helpful
and responsible person who was tidy, faithful to his word, sincere and
sociable. On his participation form, he answered the question about why he
wished to participate in the flotilla as “Because of my responsibility to my belief,
and as a witness to my time…” he set off to stop the violations in Gaza, as one
of the witnesses, taking on the responsibility of justice.

His daughters placed a letter in his pocket with the following sentences: “We
know that you are taking aid to our Muslim siblings in Gaza. Go father, even if it
is only your name that comes back!”
 64 PEOPLE OF GOOD DEEDS

Cevdet Kılıçlar

C
evdet Kılıçlar wanted to document the attack on the relief volunteers
with photographs when the cruel bullet hit him in the middle of his
forehead. He was a journalist who had studied at Marmara University
School of Press and Publication and then in Germany in computer sciencs. He
worked for the Milli Gazete, Selam and Vakit newspapers, and had begun to
work as web editor for the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation in 2008.

Cevdet Kılıçlar (40) was known for his helpfulness and self-sacrifice, and he had
gone to visit various countries and regions for IHH. Mr. Cevdet from Kayseri was
married with two children. He filled in the question about field of contribution with
the reply “anything”. Indeed, he did anything that he could on him on the ship,
making great self-sacrifice without resting. It was his share to attain martyrdom
by giving his life on the path for truth and justice, for humanity.

Çetin Topçuoğlu commission activities in the Adana

Humanitarian Relief Association, in

H
e was born in Adana, had
lived a life of righteousness
and justice, and shut his
eyes 54 years later on board
a ship to Palestine, Gaza, and
freedom. He had worked as a
civil servant in Çukobirlik for
years; he had played soccer as
an amateur at Adana Demirspor
for two years and was elected
referee of the year twice; he was
skilled in taekwondo, which he
had started at 17 and in which he
had been world champion several
times. Topçuoğlu was always
on the side of the aggrieved and
the persecuted, and participated
in activities as an IHH volunteer;
he took up a front linie position
with his wife Çiğdem Topçuoğlu in
relief activities and in all activities
related to Palestine. He was in the
Gaza convoy that went via land in
December 2009. At a meeting after
the return, he said: “We put our
heart on this path. We are ready
for death, which might follow.” His
most obvious characteristic was
his discipline, determination and
willingness to fulfill any task he
might undertake in the best way
possible. Çetin Topçuoğlu replied to
the question as to why he wished to
join the flotilla as “Like the crippled
ant, to support our side.” And he
supported his side, everybody
witnessed this…
 PEOPLE OF GOOD DEEDS 65

Fahri Yaldız

F
ahri Yaldız became acquainted with orphanages in the very first years of
his 43 years. He was born in Adıyaman, and lost his father when he was
young. He worked as a fireman in the Adıyaman Municipality, and also
owned a pastry factory. He set aside a share of his earnings for the needy; he
used some of the revenue from his factory for charitable activities. He arranged
a fund-raising event in Adıyaman for the relief flotilla, and having collected the
donations of the charitable citizens, set out on the Mavi Marmara ship for Gaza.
Fahri Yaldız, the father of four, depicted his longing for martyrdom before setting
off for the journey; it was as if the Palestinian martyrs were calling him. It was as
if he felt that the way to Gaza, the way to freedom passed through death… And
that love of martyrdom was the means for the acceptance of his prays.

Furkan Doğan

O
ne of the youngest participants in the flotilla, Furkan was only 19. He
was born in New York; he lived in Kayseri and was in his final year of
high school. He started this journey to carry out good acts. And his father
spoke: “We have no regret, no “if only”. Our child was a martyr in a good cause.
We are now the father of a martyr. This will be conducive to good developments,
if Allah wills”. Maybe Furkan sensed the odor of martyrdom while the fully
equipped navy and the armed soldiers were rapidly approaching the ship?...

İbrahim Bilgen

İ
brahim Bilgen joined the flotilla from Siirt. He was 59. He expressed the fields in
which he could help by saying that he could help in electricity and installation.
He carried out the electrical wiring for those in need, and accepted prays only
as his price. Charity was a part of his life. Wherever there was any activity for
good, İbrahim Bilgen was there as a volunteer. He gave only two words as the
reason he wished to join the flotilla: Humanitarian relief. That was all… He was
shot because he looked like Raid Salah, one of the names on the death list of the
Israeli soldiers. The soldier who shot him radioed to say that Raid Salah had been
killed after the incident. Perhaps İbrahim Bilgen lost his life for the salvation of
Al-Quds, Al-Aqsa Mosque instead of Raid Salah, the Guardian of Al-Quds.
For the salvation of new lives…
66 PEOPLE OF GOOD DEEDS

Necdet Yıldırım

N
ecdet Yıldırım was known for his mercy; it was as if he had been silently
invited to the sky to be raised to the level of martyrdom… He received that
invitation when he was 32. He embraced his child for only two years… He
was from Malatya, but had been born in Istanbul. His charitable identity was in
keeping with the ideals of the IHH where he began to work there in 2005; charity
became an integral part of his life. Necdet Yıldırım was working in the pharmacy
section of the foundation, in a warehouse in Çorlu. Necdet, who has been
described as smiling, calm, patient and very merciful by his relatives, was a highly
beloved and appreciated person by his circle. He was very happy to volunteer
onboard the Mavi Marmara ship. When the ship began to be surrounded and the
soldiers of the invading state started attacking the ship, he ran upstairs with his
friends, but he never returned. On the contrary, he was raised high… By the most
Merciful of Merciful…

Farewell for the martyrs of Mavi Marmara

 PEOPLE OF GOOD DEEDS 67

Charity lovers…
Faruk Aktaş, the IHH person in charge of the Asia Desk, set off to find land for the orphanage that was to be
opened in Kunduz in Afghanistan; Bahattin Yıldız worked as an IHH volunteer to coordinate projects carried
out in Afghanistan. Both died in a tragic accident. Yıldız and Aktaş took the Pamir Airlines plane to Kabul
on May 17 to return to Kabul after having completed the necessary activities in the region; they died when
the plane fell near Kabul. The General Director of the partner organization of our foundation in Afghanistan,
Ahmet Igbal Yoldaş, and the Foreign Relations officer of Hedef Foundation, Aynuddin Yoldaş lost their lives
in the same accident. We wish mercy from Allah to our valuable brothers Bahattin Yıldız and Faruk Aktaş,
and offer our condolences to their families.

Faruk Aktaş Bahattin Yıldız

F B
aruk Aktaş departed with Bahattin
Yıldız… He was the Asia Desk Officer of
IHH. Aktaş was born in 1974 in Iğdır, and
had lost his father when he was very young.
He graduated from Pakistan Islamic University,
Faculty of Law in 2002. He could speak English,
Arabic and Urdu. He had a six year-old child.
He was an easy-going man who caused no
harm to anybody. He was raised as an orphan,
looked after orphans, went to Afghanistan to
attain some land for the orphan’s house that
was to be constructed by IHH, and lost his
life for this cause, along with his companion
Bahattin Yıldız, with whom he liked traveling
most. When the plane they got on to returned
to Kabul, after having found the land for the
orphanage in Kunduz, it was their turn to fly for
martyrdom together…
ahattin Yıldız was an IHH volunteer. A lover of charity…
He devoted his heart to Afghanistan. He coordinated the
projects of IHH in Afghanistan. He was born in 1956 in
Sivas. He graduated from Erzurum Atatürk University Faculty of
Business Administration. His articles were published in magazines
like Mavera, Güldeste, Gurbet and Milli Gazete. He wrote for the
web site dunyabulteni.com. He was the father of five; he spent his
years fighting shoulder to shoulder with his Afghani brothers. He
wrote several books; Savaşan Afganistan-Fighting Afghanistan,
Cihat Günlüğü-Jihad Journal, Kar Çiçeği-Snow Flower, Kardaki
Ayak İzleri-Footprints on the Snow and Güllerin Vedası-Farewell
of the Roses, and he had many articles, ideas and dreams about
Afghanistan. He wanted to go to Afghanistan, where he had a
connection, at every chance; when his friends told him that it was
chaos there, he used to say “We have not yet been able to achieve
martyrdom, maybe we will during this visit.” The journey he set
off to establish an orphanage for IHH in Afghanistan was his own
farewell this time…
TOGETHER 2010 N
DA
RAMACK COST
WE CAN CHANGE FOOD
PA

THE WORLD! 30
For 20 years every Ramadan fast-breaking dinners
are offered, food packs and aid are handed out;
orphans are made happy and needy families are
gratified. These philanthropic works are perpetuated
with your support in five continents 120 countries;
charity is getting to prevail all over the world. Let’s
live this Ramadan together again, because
together we can change the world.