Turkish Cities Launch Projects to Record Seniors' Stories and Offer Umrah Pilgrimages

The Van Metropolitan Municipality continues its "Tecrübe‑i Hayat" initiative, gathering residents aged 60 and over to record personal memories, share life experiences, and celebrate with traditional music and folk dances. The program, run by the municipality’s Department of Services for the Disabled and Elderly, aims to strengthen inter‑generational ties and will hold further meetings with additional age groups.

In Konya, the Metropolitan Municipality’s "Vefa Umresi" project selected seniors aged 60‑75 for a group Umrah pilgrimage. A lottery conducted before a notary determined the participants for the second pilgrimage, scheduled from 24 August to 2 September, with 160 seniors expected to travel. Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay highlighted the effort as a tribute to the lifelong contributions of older citizens, while Konya’s provincial mufti Prof. Dr. Ali Öge emphasized the moral duty to honor and support the elderly.