Local community initiatives in Turkey focus on traditional trades and religious education

In Rize, veteran watchmaker Mustafa Topçu continues his craft after 45 years of service. Having previously worked at the General Staff in Ankara, Topçu now operates from a home workshop and as a mobile repairman. He provides free repair services for clocks in mosques and Quran courses as a community contribution. Topçu noted a decline in interest in the profession among younger generations and cautioned consumers against purchasing suspicious second-hand watches online.

In a separate community effort, the Çeliktepe Central Mosque has launched the ‘Esnafım Elimde Kur'an'ım’ project. This initiative brings Quranic instruction directly to local tradespeople at their places of business, accommodating their busy work schedules. The program utilizes a dedicated support line to coordinate lessons, aiming to integrate the mosque more deeply into the daily lives of the local merchant community.