Religion in NGO activities for Syrian aslyum-seekers in Şanlıurfa

In this study, the position of religion in NGO activities in Şanlıurfa for Syrian asylum-seekers is discussed. In the research, qualitative research method was preferred, considering that the statements and observations of the actors operating in the field of non-governmental organizations and influencing these studies contain information closer to the truth. Interviews were held with 27 people from 24 NGOs in the city and 12 Syrian asylum-seekers who participated in the work of these organizations, accompanied by a semi-structured interview form. In addition, in order to increase the reliability of the data obtained, informal conversations were held with 6 people working in the city as translator, Quran course manager, mufti employee. In addition to the interview technique, the document analysis technique and the notes taken on the seminars attended, aid activities and conversations during the meal with the NGO officials were also used. In the research it was noticed that NGOs in Şanlıurfa mainly carry out humanitarian aid activities for asylum-seekers, and donations made for religious purposes such as zakat, charity, fitre, and qurban play an important role in the realization of these aids. It has been observed that social and cultural activities of NGOs are more limited compared to humanitarian aid activities. It has been understood that Islamic-oriented NGOs take religion as a reference at the level of discourse, but also have religious aims in their activities such as conversation, bazaar, seminar, congregational prayer, and madrasah education. It has been determined that these activities contribute to the socialization of asylum-seekers and their adaptation to urban culture. It has been noticed that some changes have started to occur in the existing religious understanding and cultural behavior patterns (such as not receiving a share from inheritance, consenting to polygamy, not sending girls to school) that are against them among the asylum-seeker women who participate in the activities of organizations working on women's rights, such as the KAMER Foundation and the Civil Women's Aid and Solidarity Association. Finally, it was determined that the NGOs included in the research consulted to people who are known as Syrian and Şanlıurfa scholars and opinion leaders in order to overcome the problems experienced both in the institutional sense and among the local people and asylum seekers. It was understood that these people helped NGOs in solving problems through discourses such as Ansar-muhajir, religious brotherhood and their social status.