Forum für Integration, soziales Engagement und Menschenrechte
FISEM
Activities
Gathering at the Table of Solidarity and Dialogue: Our 3rd Traditional Dialogue Iftar
On February 21, FISEM (Forum for Integration, Social Engagement and Human Rights) held its third “Dialogue Iftar” at the Johanneskirche community hall in Eibach. The evening brought together volunteers and supporters from diverse cultural backgrounds, sending a strong message of social cohesion and mutual understanding.
In his opening speech, Dr. Murat Kocabıyık emphasized FISEM’s mission to build bridges, strengthen trust, and take responsibility for a society where freedom and peace are lived realities. In a video message, Enes Kanter highlighted that the iftar table symbolizes empathy and togetherness, stating that peace arises not from fear, but from justice and respect for human dignity.
Pastor Schimmel underlined the shared spiritual essence of fasting in both Islam and Christianity, describing the evening as a meaningful response to social polarization. Renate Hacker from Helferkreis Eibach-Maiach stressed the strong cooperation with FISEM and reminded guests that peace and freedom are responsibilities to be embraced every day.
As a sign of appreciation, gifts were presented to Helferkreis Eibach-Maiach and to Johanneskirche for hosting the event. Live music and a calligraphy performance by Mehmet Faruk Çatal added a special atmosphere to the evening.
FISEM extends its sincere thanks to Johanneskirche for its hospitality, to all volunteers and young participants for their dedication, and to the supporters who generously contributed.
Board of FISEM
February 21, 2026
Two-Day Hüsn-i Hat Workshop Inspires Participants
Together with the association Dialog und Bildung e. V., we had the pleasure of experiencing a special two-day Hüsn-i Hat workshop with calligrapher Catal. In a warm and familiar atmosphere, ten participants were introduced to the fundamentals of Turkish-Islamic calligraphy (Hüsn-i Hat) and were able to take their first steps with qalam, ink, and paper.
Day 1 – Encounter with the Reed Pen (Kalem) and Aesthetic Foundations
On the first day, Hattat Catal introduced the history of Hüsn-i Hat art and its significance in Turkish-Islamic culture. He then presented the classical materials – from the carefully cut reed pen (kalem) to the inkwell (hokka) – and demonstrated the diversity of script styles through selected masterpieces.
In the afternoon, the workshop became hands-on: participants practiced pen holding and writing direction and began their first meşk exercises using the traditional beginner’s phrase “Rabbi Yessir.”
Day 2 – The Love Between Inkwell (Hokka) and Reed Pen (Kalem)
The second day focused entirely on writing. After an introduction to composition and line arrangement (istif), everyone attempted their own calligraphic designs. During the independent working phase, each participant chose a short word or phrase, which was then developed step by step together with the teacher into a refined calligraphic piece.
In the end, not only individual artworks were created, but also a strong sense of community – captured in a group photo and in many inspiring conversations about faith, aesthetics, and inner tranquility.
What is Turkish-Islamic Calligraphy (Hüsn-i Hat)?
Hüsn-i Hat (“the beautiful script”) is the art of aesthetically refined Arabic writing, which reached its peak during the Ottoman period and is closely connected to the Qur’an and Islamic spirituality. It became a central artistic medium of expression: the names of God, verses, or blessings are transformed into harmonious lines and proportions. While it follows strict rules, it also cultivates spiritual depth through patience and concentration.
February 07-08, 2026
Participation in the Eibacher Advent Market 2025
As Fisem e.V. (pre-association, formerly Hilfen Initiative), we took part in the Eibacher Advent Market held in Nuremberg-Eibach from 28 to 30 November 2025. We were very pleased to be part of this traditional Christmas market that brings together people of all ages.
Throughout the event, we offered fried chicken, lahmacun, çiğ köfte, baklava, French fries, and popcorn at our stand. Our food was met with great interest by visitors, and the market also provided us with a valuable opportunity to introduce our association, build new friendships, and connect with people from different cultural backgrounds.
The Eibacher Advent Market is much more than just a Christmas market. With musical performances, children’s activities, handmade Christmas crafts, choir and concert programs, it serves as a lively meeting point for families. It is especially meaningful that a large portion of this year’s proceeds will be donated to Stadtmission Nürnberg, supporting social projects for children and young people.
We would like to sincerely thank all organizers, volunteers, and everyone who visited and supported our stand.
As Fisem (pre-association), we will continue to take part in events that strengthen social solidarity and promote intercultural exchange.
November 28, 2025
2nd Traditional Intercultural Dialogue and Solidarity Meeting by Hilfen Initiative
Hilfen Initiative brought together German friends and members for an iftar dinner on the evening of March 8. This event, reflecting the spiritual atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan, also gained special significance in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8. During the event, a woman was presented with a special award for her efforts to keep her family together and her struggle for her children.
Throughout the event, guests had the opportunity to closely experience Turkish culture. The traditional “bride price” practice attracted great interest. The warm atmosphere of the evening contributed to strengthening friendships. A German participant emphasized the importance of the event by saying, “The most important thing for all of us is to stay in touch with each other and share our traditions. Learning together is a great wealth.”
Participants expressed great satisfaction in being invited to the iftar program and to join in the shared prayers.
A German guest remarked, “You participated in our Christmas celebrations, and now we are at your iftar table. Hilfen Initiative is a very valuable organization for bringing people of different beliefs together around a common purpose.”
In the speeches, it was pointed out that integration is sometimes made difficult due to prejudices. However, this organization provided an environment where tolerance and respect were emphasized. At the iftar dinner held at the church, children singing hymns together and individuals from different belief groups sharing the same table served as a strong example of solidarity.
Theologian Aziz Siler drew attention to the universal messages of Ramadan, which promote justice and peace, saying, “This holy month reminds us of the importance of mercy and social solidarity. It is unfortunate to see that these values are diminishing in today’s world. Ramadan is a time that supports the unity of soul and body.”
Ahmet Ziya Pakel, who actively participates in community service activities in Nürnberg, expressed his happiness about the event, saying, “I am very happy to be part of this organization. The atmosphere of the program was amazing, and the hospitality attracted everyone’s attention.”
Ufuk Sarışahin, from the organizing team, highlighted the dedication shown during the event, saying, “Seeing the happiness of the participants on their faces was the best feedback. The table arrangement, food service, choir performance, and everything else were flawless. We are already thinking about how we can surpass this level next year.”
Hilfen Initiative Board Chairman Kocabıyık reflected on the importance of the evening for social solidarity, stating, “This great participation shows how valuable it is to build intercultural bridges. In the future, raising awareness about human rights violations will be one of our primary goals.”
As Hilfen Initiative, we will continue organizing such events to strengthen tolerance and unity in society.
March 08, 2025
HILFEN Initiative Continues Integration Seminars: Online Information Session on Holiday Opportunities for Families
HILFEN Initiative is successfully continuing its integration seminars. On Friday, June 14, an online information session was held about holiday opportunities for families offered by the Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales (ZBFS).
A total of 32 refugee families participated in the event, where they learned step-by-step how to make holiday reservations and submit applications to ZBFS. The practical seminar provided participants with the opportunity to follow the entire process and gain valuable insights into the application procedures.
HILFEN Initiative plans to offer more events like this to support migrants in their integration process and help them take advantage of available support services.
June 14, 2024
HILFEN Initiative Supports Health Project: Seminar on the German Healthcare System Successfully Held in Nuremberg
As part of the collaboration between HILFEN Initiative and Frizu e.V., a seminar on “The German Healthcare System” was held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Gesundheitsamt conference room. This event is part of a larger project aimed at providing migrants in and around Nuremberg with essential health and illness-related information in their native languages, such as Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Urdu, and Pashto.
The seminar attracted numerous participants from refugee backgrounds, offering them the chance to learn about the German healthcare system. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask ministry officials various questions and clarify any concerns.
With the support of HILFEN Initiative, this important project will continue to help migrants access healthcare information and navigate the German healthcare system more effectively.
June 22, 2024
HILFEN Initiative Brings Different Cultures Together: First Ramadan Iftar in Nuremberg a Great Success
On March 18, 2024, HILFEN Initiative held its first Ramadan Iftar in Nuremberg. This special event brought together leaders and volunteers from various associations in and around Nuremberg, along with migrants from different nationalities.
The purpose of the event was to promote intercultural dialogue and accelerate the integration of migrants. Participants had the opportunity to share their experiences, make new connections, and engage in discussions on cultural and social topics.
HILFEN Initiative plans to increase similar events in the future to deepen cross-cultural understanding and strengthen social cohesion. Such events provide a valuable platform for building bridges between different communities and celebrating diversity.
January 24, 2024
The HILFEN Initiative's Participation in 'Netzwerktreffen: Integration & Engagement' Event and Bürgerstiftung-Nürnberg Projects
The volunteers of the HILFEN Initiative participated in the event “Netzwerktreffen: Integration & Engagement” organized by the City of Nuremberg on January 24, 2024. This monthly meeting aims to bring together organizations and individuals active in social life and volunteering in Nuremberg. The event took place at Rathausplatz 2 in Nuremberg and was attended by numerous volunteer organizations, individuals, representatives from the City of Nuremberg, and volunteers from our initiative.
In recent weeks, guided by the representatives of the City of Nuremberg, we participated in the Ideenwettbewerb within the framework of the Mitmach-Parlament organized by Bürgerstiftung-Nürnberg. Here are the projects for which we applied:
Cleanliness is in us! Link: Sauberkeit ist in uns!
For smiling refugees 🙂 Link: Für lächelnde Flüchtlinge 🙂
Cultural Harmony of Children Link: Kulturelle Harmonie der Kinder
Fastenbruderschaft Link: Fastenbruderschaft
Let’s get to know each other better Link: Lernen wir uns besser kennen
Upon request, we also had the opportunity to present our planned events within the “Gegen Rassismus Woche” (Against Racism Week). These events are part of “Wunden der Vergangenheit, Gestaltung der Zukunft: Geschichten der Flucht!” (Wounds of the Past, Shaping the Future: Stories of Escape!). Additionally, we seized the chance to discuss potential collaborative projects with participating organizations.
For more information, please visit:
- www.soziales.nuernberg.de
- www.engagiert.nuernberg.de
- Bürgerstiftung-Nürnberg Ideenwettbewerb Overview
- Stiftung gegen Rassismus – Ideenwettbewerb
January 24, 2024
Meeting for teachers with a migration background in Bavaria
On September 23, 2023, a one-day workshop titled “Career Opportunities for Foreign Teachers in Germany/Bavaria” was held at the Nürnberg Mesale Education Institute conference hall. The workshop, which was attended by 72 Turkish-origin teachers residing in the state of Bavaria, was a great success.
During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and discover positive examples from the field of education in Bavaria. This created an optimistic atmosphere and encouraged many participants who had previously felt alone and hopeless. Many of them found new hope and enthusiasm to define their career goals and improve their German language skills. As a result, we hope that in the near future, even more of our colleagues will have the opportunity to work as teachers in Bavaria.
This inspiring conference not only benefited the participants but also demonstrated the importance of sharing experiences and ideas in the field of education. We hope that such events will contribute to making the educational landscape in Bavaria even more diverse and enriching
September 23, 2023
Continuing to Showcase Our Initiative Through Institutional Visits as HILFEN
At HILFEN, we persistently endeavor to present our initiatives and mission through institutional visits. In this context, we had the privilege to visit Frau Schuster and her team at Nuremberg Municipality’s Education Office. Our meeting was also attended by Frau Kohler from BFZ Jobbegleiterin für Flüchtlinge.
During our meeting, we extensively discussed the challenges of integrating highly skilled immigrants that have arisen lately, as well as our expectations. Frau Schuster and Frau Kohler not only provided invaluable suggestions but also proposed solution-oriented projects to address the integration issues faced by immigrants.
At the conclusion of the meeting, we reached an agreement on maintaining continued collaboration and implementing joint projects in the future. Following this productive meeting, we are highly motivated to define our next steps.
August 16, 2023
Protest in Strasbourg: Standing up against human rights violations in Turkey.
We are proud to inform you about our recent participation in a significant protest demonstration in Strasbourg, a powerful display of solidarity and advocacy for human rights. The event, organized by the HRS Institute, brought together over 1700 dedicated activists and victims of Turkey’s actions following the coup. Alongside esteemed figures like Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the British Labour Party, former NBA basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom, as well as EU parliamentarians and prominent figures from sports and the arts, our collective voice resonated in front of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France.
June 21, 2023
Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Our Participation in the International Language and Culture Festival (IFLC) in Cologne.
At the Hilfen Helps Institute, we believe in the power of cultural exchange and artistic expression to build bridges, promote understanding, and create lasting connections. Our recent participation in the International Language and Culture Festival (IFLC) in Cologne is evidence of our commitment to nurturing global youth talent and celebrating the richness of diverse cultures in our world.
June 10, 2023
A booth was set up in the Nuremberg Old Town.
With pride, we share that the Hilfen Relief Initiative has set up a booth in Nuremberg to support the earthquake victims in Turkey. Through the sale of food items, we have collected funds that were directly forwarded to the earthquake disaster survivors through the Time to Help Foundation.
April 29, 2023
Shared Integration and Unity: Hilfen's Barbecue Event in Nuremberg.
We take pride in announcing that Hilfen is actively working to integrate new individuals into Nuremberg and contribute to their integration processes. In this spirit, we organized a barbecue event where people from diverse backgrounds came together.
April 20, 2023
Visit to the Private Technical College Mesale e.V. in Nuremberg: Strengthening Partnership Projects.
We are pleased to announce that Hilfen has visited the Private Technical College Mesale e.V. in Nuremberg. During this meeting, we exchanged ideas and thoughts about promoting partnership projects.
April 20, 2023
