“Assalamu alaikum, I was very pleased to meet the GIMDES representatives face-to-face today. I said, “I’m so glad I came to the festival.” Mrs. Füsun’s Medicinal Teas program was very productive and beneficial. Thank you for your hard work and heart. I’m sure the participants will reap the benefits of both their shopping and their love for halal food.”
“I learned about the festival here and surprised my students yesterday by taking them there. They were delighted. We even went today. We loved this event. It’s always been our dream to have easily accessible food, gözleme (Turkish flatbread), pastries, and discounted halal products right nearby. Many of the products were on sale, and we oversold them. They also offered us lots of gifts and treats. It was a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. What more could you ask for? This festival was a pre-vision of that dream. And I’m sure that if we, as Muslims, support our halal traditions, our dreams will come true. The power will be with us Muslims. May Allah (SWT) bless everyone who contributed and those who supported us. I’m so glad we have you.”
“We pretty much bought everything we could, since it was the last time. There wasn’t much variety in Afia. It was a very relaxed atmosphere overall, and it was great to shop with peace of mind. The table was full of treats, and our girls, Meysu and Irfa, couldn’t stop eating çiğ köfte.”
“It was a very fruitful day. We received the orders we placed and are returning. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you to everyone who contributed.”
“The phyllo dough sold by MasterZey was wonderful, thin, and fresh. We bought it and stocked up.”
“I shared my greetings from the festival area. I brought my friend along for the occasion and did our shopping, alhamdulillah.”
“I live in Bağcılar, and I was very pleased that GIMDES organized the festival here. I had the opportunity to attend for two days. I both bought the products and participated in the cream-making workshop. We learned the important aspects of cream-making. They distributed the cream to us. I hope to attend today’s herbal tea workshop as well. I took my children with me; they weren’t bored at all, and there were refreshments. We also had the pleasure of seeing our teacher Hüseyin Kâmi there. We also had the opportunity to go as a family and eat at Değer Taş Fırın, which we couldn’t go to because it was too far for us.”
“I went to the festival today. I had my children with me, so I went for them. I’m trying to encourage my wife to go again tomorrow. It’s truly wonderful. Everyone is very helpful, very friendly, and there’s a free service. They gave our children gift bags. They organized some wonderful events.”
“Friends, this festival is very important for our Muslim community today. It’s the first of its kind. The World Halal Council is spearheaded by GIMDES Türkiye. Allah (SWT) has bestowed this upon us. As those in Istanbul, it’s our duty to support it, especially. We all feel sad about Gaza, but this festival is the answer to what we’re actually doing. Developing a Halal and Tayyib market, shopping at world halal markets, and promoting this market. If we can’t go, we should support it by spreading the word.”
“I also went from Ataşehir. My son attended the children’s workshop. I attended the cream workshop. We did our shopping on Ashura Day. It was a great bargain. We visited the exhibitions, met new friends, and chatted. We bought food from Değer Taş Fırın for iftar that evening. May Alllah (SWT) bless everyone involved.”
“We had the good fortune of coming from Arnavutköy. We both shopped and enjoyed a meal with peace of mind, alhamdulillah.”
“I also had the opportunity to attend today from Bahçeşehir. It was very beneficial, alhamdulillah. Shopping without thinking is really nice. I hope it continues.”
“May Allah (SWT) increase its numbers. This is a wonderful event. Shopping with peace of mind, without boycotting or worrying about the possibility of suspicious or haram purchases, is completely in line with Islamic principles. Insha’Allah it will be repeated again soon.”
“I had the pleasure of attending today from Güngören. The hand cream-making workshop was also helpful. It’s wonderful to shop without worrying about whether it’s suspicious or certified, Alhamdulillah. There are also refreshments, and I recommend everyone to visit.”
“It’s a year-round event full of opportunities, offering opportunities to shop and experience products. I’ve been in Istanbul for a year, and this is the first time I’ve been out of town. I’m so sorry I missed it. Most of all, I’m sorry for my children. The children’s activities are incredibly beneficial. Even shopping together would be incredibly inspiring for the children.”
“Peace be upon you, teacher. I’m Pınar, and I was fortunate enough to come to the festival today. Alhamdulillah, I was very happy to see GIMDES in Bağcılar. I’m also a trainee at the Bağcılar Women’s Cultural Center. If you have the opportunity, there are more trainees during the winter months. If such an event were to take place then, I would be willing to support you in any way I can, insha’Allah.”
We thank all the companies participating in our festival for their friendly service and dedication.
We thank all our guests who visited and supported our festival.
We thank all the staff of the Bağcılar Municipality and the Women and Family Culture and Arts Center.
