“First step to marriage” seminar series concludes with online final session
The “First Step to Marriage” seminar series, organized by the Family Unit of the İskeçe Mufti’s Office, concluded its eighth and final week with an online session featuring Hatice Kahyagolu, Director of Women, Family, and Volunteer Services at the Turkish Religious Foundation (TDV).
The program was carried out under the guidance of Mustafa Trampa, İskeçe Mufti and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, and focused on strengthening family awareness within the minority community.
“There Is No Magic Wand in Marriage”
During the seminar, speakers emphasized that the family is an institution that requires continuous effort, noting that marital challenges cannot be resolved through quick fixes, but rather through patience, commitment, and conscious effort.
Highlighting the message that “no one holds a magic wand,” the seminar stressed that a strong and stable family structure can only be built through consistent dedication and responsibility.
Family Values at the Center
In her presentation, Hatice Kahyagolu referred to the World Values Survey, reminding participants that 92% of respondents across 72 countries identified family as the most valuable element in their lives. She underlined that a peaceful and resilient family structure is only possible through loyalty to core family values.
Kahyagolu emphasized that healthy communication is the cornerstone of marriage, stating:
“There is no such thing as a family without problems—there are families that can solve their problems.”
She described divorce as a measure with a destructive impact on the foundation of marriage, stressing that it should be considered only as a last resort.
Conscious Families in a Secular Age
Addressing ethical and spiritual dimensions of family life, Kahyagolu reminded participants that spousal rights are a matter of moral responsibility, urging couples not to sacrifice love for material concerns, to protect their families once established, and to remain conscious in the face of modern secular pressures.
Continued Commitment to Family Education
In a closing statement, the İskeçe Mufti’s Office announced that it will continue to organize family-centered education and awareness programs in the coming period, reaffirming its commitment to supporting strong and value-based family structures within the community.
The “First Step to Marriage” seminar series organized by the İskeçe Mufti’s Office concluded online, emphasizing patience, communication, and strong family values as the foundation of a healthy marriage.
