The closing ceremony of the “Hayat Namazla Güzeldir” (Life Is Beautiful With Prayer) summer education initiative, organized by Prophet Lovers Foundation in Gaziantep for children, was held at Millet Mosque with the participation of nearly 1,000 students.

The event, which focused on introducing children to the Qur’an, prayer, surahs, supplications, worship and Islamic morality, concluded with a practical review of the lessons taught throughout the summer. The children performed prayer collectively and students who successfully completed the program were presented with prayer certificates.

“We aimed to plant the love of prayer in the hearts of our children”

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Muhammed Ata Yaçin, chairman of the Prophet Lovers Association, said the initiative was designed not merely to teach children the practical aspects of prayer but to cultivate a lasting love of worship and consciousness of servitude to Allah.

Yaçin emphasized the importance of raising children according to the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah, saying the organization sought to help children develop a strong spiritual foundation from an early age.

“We aimed not merely to teach our children how to perform the prayer, but to plant the spirit of prayer, the love of prayer, and the passion for prayer in their hearts,” Yaçin said.

He added that prayer should become an integral part of children’s daily lives and described a generation raised with prayer and awareness of servitude to Allah as a generation capable of building a stronger future.

“The future depends on generations raised with faith and morality”

Yaçin said children who will shape the future need more than academic knowledge and professional skills, stressing that faith, morality, worship and a sense of responsibility before Allah are equally important.

He described prayer as one of the central acts of worship in Islam and said introducing children to prayer at an early age was among the most valuable legacies parents and society could provide.

Within this framework, approximately 1,000 children received prayer education during the summer program. Certificates were presented to students who completed their training as an encouragement to continue practicing prayer and incorporate it into their daily lives.

“Our goal is not merely to complete a summer program,” Yaçin said, stressing that the broader objective was to raise generations who know their Lord, uphold morality and live with religious consciousness.

He added that Prophet Lovers Association intends to continue organizing similar educational programs in future summers.

Children taught Qur’an, prayer and Islamic values

Educator Abdulkadir Aydoğan said the program primarily targeted children between the ages of 6 and 10, providing systematic instruction in the Qur’an, prayer, short surahs, supplications, worship and good moral conduct.

Aydoğan said the central objective was to raise children who love prayer rather than regard it as a burden, and who develop a lasting connection with the mosque, Qur’an and Islamic values.

“Every summer, we provide regular and systematic prayer education to our children,” Aydoğan said, noting that nearly 1,000 students participated in this year’s closing ceremony.

During the event, children demonstrated and reviewed what they had learned, including how to perform prayer, recite surahs and supplications, and observe the etiquette of worship.

More than 100 female teachers and more than 100 male teachers, together with volunteers and families, contributed to the educational initiative, according to Aydoğan.

Parents urged to take greater responsibility

Aydoğan also used the ceremony to call on parents to take a more active role in their children’s religious upbringing.

He said that while parents closely monitor their children’s academic progress, schooling and future careers, they should also pay attention to their children’s religious responsibilities.

“Accustoming our children to prayer is one of our greatest responsibilities,” he said, urging parents to ask their children about their prayers, wake them for prayer when necessary and, where possible, pray together as a family.

Aydoğan emphasized that children learn most effectively through example, arguing that parents who visibly practice prayer and maintain a connection with the mosque can have a profound influence on their children.

“Let us bring prayer back into our homes”

Calling particularly on fathers and mothers, Aydoğan encouraged families to establish congregational prayer in their homes, even if they begin with a single daily prayer.

He also urged parents to take their children to mosques and create positive memories associated with worship and religious life.

“What we want is not merely children who perform the prayer. We want children who love the prayer,” he said.

Aydoğan stressed that the ultimate objective was to nurture children who love prostration, the Qur’an, the mosque and their Lord, and who see prayer as a source of peace and spiritual strength rather than an obligation they experience merely as a burden.

“Life is beautiful with prayer”

The event concluded with prayers and messages emphasizing the importance of strengthening children’s relationship with Allah, the Qur’an and worship.

Organizers said the initiative reflects their belief that a society’s future is strengthened when its children are raised with faith, good character, moral values and consciousness of their responsibilities before Allah.

“Life is beautiful with prayer. Life is beautiful with the Qur’an. Life is beautiful with servitude to Allah,” Aydoğan said, calling on families to transform the program’s message into a lasting part of their daily lives. (ILKHA)