Youth centers in Istanbul, which operate under the Presidency of Religious Affairs, are among the places where young people attract great attention with educational programs, workshops and social events.
A wide range of activities such as art, sports and values education are carried out in 87 Religious Youth Centers in 39 districts within the Istanbul Provincial Mufti’s Office in the city. Bringing young people together in a safe and qualified environment, the centers also contribute to their spiritual, social and cultural development.
The activities carried out with the participation of coordinators and trainees in the centers, which have become the meeting point of young people, provide a versatile education and social interaction opportunity.
“We reached 1 million 780 thousand students in 2025”
In his statement to the AA correspondent, Istanbul Provincial Deputy Mufti Zekeriya Bülbül said that they provide services with 87 Religious Affairs Youth Centers, 99 reading rooms and 12 Youth Offices within the scope of work for young people.
Stating that presentations are made about the contributions of an ancient city like Istanbul to people in youth centers where many activities are carried out, Bülbül said, “We attach values and try to give historical awareness. We organize travel activities from the Balkans to the Middle East to inform young people on the spot. We reached 1 million 780 thousand students in 2025 with more than 37 thousand activities we carried out in youth centers, KYK dormitories and other areas.” shared his knowledge.
Explaining that Religious Affairs Youth Centers in 39 districts of Istanbul provide services with 1110 personnel, Bülbül stated that the activities are decided together with the young people and that external educators are brought in in the areas of interest to them.
Bülbül stated that religious officials who are world kickboxing and judo Balkan champions and who have improved their skills in fields such as horse-drawn archery, canoeing and arm wrestling coaches participated as instructors, and noted that summer courses were organized within the scope of the “I am Aware of My Environment, I Protect My Values” project implemented in the field.
Bülbül stated that training is provided in robotic coding, mathematics and foreign languages such as English, Spanish and Arabic, and emphasized that young people show great interest in these centers.
Bülbül stated that breathing camps that include horse riding, bicycle tours, adventure tracks, values education and various social skills are organized for young people who are overwhelmed by university exams in the summer, and stated that the behavior of a girl in the camp who had communication problems changed over time. Bülbül said that they provided rehabilitation support to the girl, whom they saw literally living on the streets, provided financial assistance and placed her in a job.
Bülbül stated that they organized reading programs with young people in the Balkans, Jerusalem, Bukhara and Transoxiana, and that young people visited these regions in addition to the lessons they had with university professors.
Zekeriya Bülbül said, “The activities and services provided do not only appeal to Türkiye. They encompass the whole world. The perceptions of our young people who come to us are not limited to Turkey only. We have services that aim to motivate young people to improve themselves in order to serve all oppressed nations, and in essence, humanity.” he said.
Spiritual counseling services are also offered
Hatice Tura, Coordinator of Kısıklı Religious Youth Center and Üsküdar Mufti’s Religious Services Specialist, where activities for young people are carried out in Istanbul, stated that traditional art, literature, psychology and music workshops and scientific conversations were organized in order to contribute to the spiritual, cultural and social development of young people in many aspects.
Stating that counseling services are also provided to young people who have spiritual problems, Tura noted that important activities are carried out in the field of social responsibility, nursing homes and love homes are visited through volunteering projects, and financial and moral support is provided to families in need.
Tura stated that a Children’s Academy for the 7-10 age group and a High School Academy for high school students were established at the center, and that children are supported academically with the participation of experts as well as fun activities.
Stating that the “Wednesday Coffee” project is also carried out for university students with the participation of expert guests, Tura said, “Kısıklı Youth Center is considered as a place where many activities are held and young people come here with pleasure. We invite all our young people to our center to contribute to their development.” he said.
“We hold lessons with tea, coffee and conversation”
Sena Özcan, one of the young trainees who received training at the center, emphasized that she continues to take watercolor and Hadith Reading lessons at the center, where she started to come since September 2025, and said, “We do the lessons accompanied by tea-coffee and conversation. We come out of here with a more vigorous and happy mind. We refresh what we know and learn what we do not know. While doing watercolor, our mind becomes empty and the resulting works make us happy.” he said.
Beyza Güreler, on the other hand, stated that she has been attending the center since September 2023, when it was first opened, and attended many lectures, and said, “At the same time, we have made very good friendships. We have benefited from scientific studies, and I think we have been nourished spiritually as well. We have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the guests who come not only to scientific programs, but also to different programs, and we benefit from them. Experts and academicians are guests of the ‘Wednesday Coffee’ programs here. Our teachers influence our world of thought and broaden our horizons.” I think it opened.” made his assessment.
