Media Coverage
Abdullah Aymaz
Kadir Boyaci
Kadir Boyaci, one of the delegates for our First International Hizmet Conference 2026, expressed in his article a deep admiration for India as a land where history, spirituality, love, and service converge. Reflecting on his visit to the Taj Mahal, Boyaci described it not merely as a marble monument but as a timeless symbol of enduring love along the Yamuna River. Through the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, he portrayed the monument as India’s testament to transforming sorrow into beauty and memory into permanence, raising the deeper question of what one truly builds in the name of love.
Beyond Agra, Boyaci highlighted his experiences in Delhi and Jaipur, emphasizing India’s cultural vibrancy, human warmth, and spirit of service. He was particularly moved by the dedication of volunteers engaged in humanitarian initiatives, including working on a water project for a village, as well as efforts in education and community support. He ultimately presents India not only as a historic civilization, but as a living example of how love is expressed through selfless service, compassion, and meaningful action for the common good.
Mustafa Cenap Aydin
Dr Mustafa Cenap Aydin, in his reflections on India during the International Hizmet Conference 2026, presents the country as a remarkable meeting point of history, pluralism, and living compassion. From his visit to the Taj Mahal, a timeless symbol of love in the land known as the homeland of Mahatma Gandhi, to his experiences across Delhi and Jaipur, he portrays India as a civilization where diversity is not merely tolerated but celebrated. Emphasizing India’s ethos of “Athithi Devo Bhava” (the guest is equivalent to God), he highlights the extraordinary warmth and hospitality extended to international delegates.
Dr Aydin further connects this spirit of openness to the broader discussions on Hizmet, noting how presentations and service initiatives spanning Germany to Africa, and America to Southeast Asia, found meaningful resonance within India’s pluralistic landscape. He underscores that India’s social fabric, deeply rooted in coexistence and interfaith harmony, naturally aligns with the values of dialogue, education, and humanitarian service. Through references to volunteer efforts, including educational initiatives and water projects for villages, he ultimately portrays India not only as a historic cradle of civilizations but as a contemporary beacon of pluralism, service, and shared humanity, where universal values find both expression and purpose.
Ahmet Kurucan
Ahmet Kurucan recounts his participation in the International Hizmet Conference 2026, held on February 5–6 in India, under the theme “The Role of Social Movements in Cultivating Trust and Collaboration in Diverse Societies”. He emphasizes that the conference marked a significant moment in the academic engagement with the Hizmet Movement, as more than 150 papers were submitted, out of which over 40 were selected after rigorous review. He highlights that it demonstrates that Hizmet is now examined as a global social phenomenon across multiple disciplines. Scholars from fields such as sociology, theology, political science, education, and cultural studies analyzed the movement’s ethical, philosophical, and practical dimensions, engaging in critical yet constructive dialogue. With participation from approximately 30 countries, the gathering reflected a truly international character, highlighting how Hizmet adapts to different local contexts while articulating a universal ethical language.
The conference, hosted by O. P. Jindal Global University and Indialogue Foundation, was praised for its academic rigor and intellectual depth. Kurucan underscores that such scholarly production is inseparable from field experience, arguing that academia draws its strength from lived realities. He also reflects on the dedication of local volunteers in India who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, viewing their efforts as evidence that service continues to grow despite challenges. Ultimately, he concludes that what he witnessed in New Delhi was a living, evolving movement – one that continues to inspire thought, generate knowledge, and move forward with quiet resilience.
Safvet Senih
Safvet Senih recounts, through Kadir Boyaci’s narration, an intimate and revealing evening in India during the International Hizmet Conference, portraying the country as a living space where global paths intersect through shared values. The gathering reflected the essence of trust, hospitality, and sincerity that transcends nationality. The experience emphasized that in India, relationships are built not on formal introductions but on intention and shared purpose. The warmth of the hosts and the natural bond formed among guests from different countries illustrated how the spirit of service fosters immediate familiarity and belonging.
Central to the evening were personal testimonies about encounters with the Hizmet movement. Brother Syed from India shared how initial skepticism transformed into trust after learning about Hizmet’s educational and humanitarian efforts, choosing to remain steadfast despite challenges after 2016. A Kazakh guest described how a health journey brought his family to India, where they unexpectedly found both medical care and a compassionate community. Meanwhile, Prof Bongard and the German journalist Mr Hermann reflected on how the movement’s universal values – dialogue, coexistence, and openness to modernity-extend beyond ethnic or religious boundaries. Through references to initiatives such as the Abant Platform, the narrative underscored the power of dialogue in bringing together diverse identities.
Recalling the spirit of the Abant Platform, the speaker reflected on how individuals from diverse and even opposing identities were brought together through dialogue and mutual respect. As the evening in India progressed, heartfelt conversations replaced unfamiliarity, and strangers parted as friends, reminded that it is not technology but sincere human connection that truly brings people closer. The gathering ultimately reaffirmed the universal language of dialogue and shared humanity.