Turkish NGO takes the lead in Countering Islamophobia and New Muslim Support; Needs Your Help!
KIM Vakfı (Center for Cross Cultural Communication), a Türkiye-based non-profit organization, has launched its global fundraising campaign on LaunchGood. The organisation’s aim is countering Islamophobia and promoting intercultural understanding through educational outreach at Türkiye’s historic Islamic heritage sites.
With Istanbul, currently the world’s most visited city, Türkiye has become a key global crossroads where millions of international visitors encounter Islamic history and culture firsthand. KIM Vakfı’s initiative focuses on addressing misconceptions about Islam through direct, respectful dialogue, educational resources, and guided cultural engagement led by trained volunteers.
For more than 16 years, KİM Vakfı has operated structured educational programs that engage international visitors across major heritage sites in Türkiye. The organization reports reaching approximately 50,000 non-Muslim visitors annually, offering them contextual information about Islamic beliefs, history, and values in a non-coercive, educational setting.
A key component of the initiative is the organization’s New Muslim Care (NMC) program, which provides educational support, mentoring, and community integration for individuals who choose to explore Islam further after these engagements. According to Ubaidullah Tanrıöver, the General Director of the organisation, monthly dozens of individuals choose to explore Islam, or “take their Shahadah” through their engagement with the volunteers of KIM Vakfı, after which they are enrolled into the NMC.
The programs by NMC are not just designed to help individuals fully learn about the practices of Islam, but to further become ambassadors of Islam as they return to their home countries subsequently.
“Islamophobia has become a major problem in the world leading to genocides and persecution of Muslims everywhere, ‘phobia’ or fear comes from lack of information, and that's where we come in,” stated Mustafa Karaca, the President of KIM Vakfi. He further added that KIM Vakfı, taking inspiration from Islamic traditions of hospitality and cultural education, is having life changing impact on thousands of people.
Ahmet Söylemez, the Social Media Coordinator of KIM Vakfi stated “we’ve had people walk in with stereotypical understandings about Islam that it's ‘oppressive towards women’ or its ‘an extremist faith’ but they left Istanbul as practicing Muslims.”
Fatih Özkan, an old volunteer with KIM Vakfı, stated that specially after October 7th, there has been a surge of people from western countries who are increasingly interested in exploring Islam. “The resilience of the people of Gazzah has pushed many people to understand the fatih fuelling that resilience,” he added.
Luqman (Lucas), from Czech Republic who attended the educational programs with NMC shared "this was a truly life-changing experience. Rich with learning, self discovery, and personal growth. From start to finish the program was run with professionalism and care “
Another attendee of the NMC, Elizabeth from Germany said that this trip gave her inspiration on how to represent Islam in her home community. Camila from Bolivia remarked “this was a highlight that has split and changed my life and it's that I truly saw my purpose in life.”
Countless such lives are continuously being transformed through the efforts of KIM Vakfi, however, now the organisation needs support to keep going. Funds raised through the LaunchGood campaign will support not just ongoing operations but expansion beyond Türkiye.
The campaign invites global supporters, institutions, and community stakeholders to contribute to an initiative that seeks to reduce prejudice, encourage informed understanding, and strengthen intercultural engagement.
The campaign is now live on LaunchGood.
For more information, contact: Usama Hazari, International Relations Coordinator usamahazarii@gmail.com +905380572512 usamahazari@instagram.com.
