HÜDA PAR President Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu met with young people at the Teacher's House Conference Hall in Mardin.

The event, attended by Deputy Chairman Mahmut İrtem, General Administrative Board Member Şeyhmus Tanrıkulu, Mardin Provincial Chairman İsmail Çevik, and district presidents, began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by Musa Gül.

Yapıcıoğlu, warmly welcomed by attendees with takbirs, engaged in an open dialogue with the youth, addressing concerns ranging from marriage to unemployment. During his speech, Yapıcıoğlu highlighted the role of young people as the future of society and rejected the notion that youth is inherently corrupted. He stressed that challenges faced by the younger generation are often the result of a society that fails to properly prepare them for life.

"Young people, you are the hope of this society," Yapıcıoğlu declared. "Sometimes, we hear that 'youth is corrupted' or 'youth is not on the right path,' but these statements are inaccurate. Youth is a phase influenced by its environment. If there's an issue, it's because the older generation hasn't laid a solid foundation for you."

Addressing concerns about marriage, Yapıcıoğlu encouraged both families and young people to make marriage more accessible. He condemned the financial burdens placed on young couples, particularly the rising costs of weddings and demands for expensive gifts. Reflecting on his own experience, Yapıcıoğlu shared that when he married, he started with only half of a lorry's worth of belongings, stressing that young people should not be deterred by material concerns.

"Marriage should be made easier, not harder. Families should not burden their children with excessive financial expectations," he said. "I urge young people to be courageous and not fear marriage. Allah expands the sustenance of those who marry."

Yapıcıoğlu also proposed a new initiative: the implementation of a 150,000-lira non-refundable grant to support young couples. He argued that while a loan for newlyweds currently exists, a grant would alleviate the financial pressures on young people starting their lives together.

Turning to the issue of youth unemployment, which has reached twice the general unemployment rate in Turkey, Yapıcıoğlu called for an overhaul of the country's education system. He pointed out that unplanned educational quotas in various fields lead to an oversupply of graduates, leaving many unemployed. He also highlighted the importance of training for intermediate staff, such as technicians, who have a higher chance of finding work than many university graduates.

"The unplanned education system is a key factor in youth unemployment," he stated. "By aligning education with the needs of the job market, we can address this issue."

Yapıcıoğlu also blamed the interest-driven capitalist economic system for exacerbating unemployment and inflation, calling for a more just and fair economic order.

"Full employment is a dream in a system centered on interest," he said. "We are working towards a just economic system that benefits all, and the support of young people is vital to this cause."

The event concluded with a hopeful message from Yapıcıoğlu, who urged the youth to remain resilient and engaged in efforts to build a fairer society for the future. (ILKHA)