Turkish towns see surge in summer Qur'an courses for youth

The Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has launched summer Qur'an courses in several Turkish districts, drawing large numbers of children and teenagers. In Gaziantep, the program runs for seven weeks in local mosques and Qur'an schools, offering instruction in the Qur'an, the life of the Prophet Muhammad, basic religious duties and moral values. Şehitkamil district mufti Abdullah Bekiroğlu said the courses create a lively atmosphere in mosques and provide “four important teachings” while fostering social interaction; the city reports around 600 participants.

In the district of Sivrihisar (Eskişehir province), district mufti İbrahim Yaşar Can visited the courses, emphasized their spiritual importance and announced plans for competitions and events to keep students motivated. The initiative aims to give children a constructive use of their summer holidays through religious education and community engagement.