# Turkish Siyer competitions and Umrah prizes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-siyer-competitions-and-umrah-prizes
> Updated: 2026-08-16T10:55:20.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

In Turkey, various educational and municipal authorities are organizing Siyer competitions—quizzes focused on the life of the Prophet—with Umrah pilgrimages as prizes for winners.

In early August, student Osman Balcı of Alaşehir Fen Lisesi was announced as one of seven nationwide winners of a competition organized by the Directorate of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of National Education, and the Turkey Diyanet Foundation. Balcı was awarded a nine-day pilgrimage to holy sites.

By mid-August, the Konya Metropolitan Municipality reported that the first group of students and families who won its specific Siyer competition had returned from their trip. Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay stated the group spent six days in Mecca and three days in Medina, noting the program’s goal to support the spiritual and social development of young people.

## Claims

- Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay stated that the municipality will continue such spiritual development programs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Konya Metropolitan Municipality organized a Siyer competition for middle and high school students with Umrah trips as prizes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The first group of winners and their families completed a 9-day Umrah trip. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The group spent 6 days in Mecca and 3 days in Medina. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: Konya Metropolitan Municipality Umrah competition winners return home

The first group of winners from Konya Metropolitan Municipality’s Umrah-prize Siyer competition has returned home after a 9-day spiritual journey to Mecca and Medina.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/konya-metropolitan-municipality-umrah-competition-winners-return-home

### 2026-08-02: Student Osman Balcı Wins Umrah Trip in Turkish School Competition

Osman Balcı, an 11th‑grader from Alaşehir Fen Lisesi, won a nine‑day Umrah trip in a Turkey‑wide Siyer‑i Nebi quiz organized by the Directorate of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Education and the Turkey Dıy

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/student-osman-balc-wins-umrah-trip-in-turkish-school-competition

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Cite as: Turkish Siyer competitions and Umrah prizes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-siyer-competitions-and-umrah-prizes