In a bid to promote stronger family structures and offer alternatives to resolving domestic conflicts, the Women and Family Presidency of HÜDA PAR (Free Cause Party) organized a panel discussion in Istanbul under the theme "An Alternative Way in Resolving Domestic Disputes: Family Mediation."

Held at Zeytinburnu Wedding Hall, the event brought together scholars, legal experts, and civil society representatives to explore faith-based and culturally rooted solutions to the increasing challenges facing family institutions in Türkiye.

HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, a prominent figure in Turkish conservative politics, addressed the event alongside HÜDA PAR Women and Family President Aynur Sülün, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the rising fragmentation of family life in Türkiye and the need for solutions rooted in the country’s cultural and spiritual values.

The panel began with a spiritually uplifting recitation from the Holy Quran by Furkan Akyıldırım, setting the tone for the event’s focus on faith-guided discourse. The session was moderated by Münevver Aktaş, a member of HÜDA PAR’s General Administrative Board, who highlighted the significance of centering such conversations around both moral and intellectual engagement.

Family in Crisis: A Call for Cultural and Legal Reform

Delivering one of the panel’s key speeches, Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Can, President of the Social, Economic and Cultural Research Centre (SEKAM), delivered a powerful critique of Western-influenced legal frameworks governing family affairs in Türkiye. He argued that many of the current legal instruments imposed on Turkish society stem from foreign paradigms that fail to reflect the spiritual and cultural essence of the Turkish-Muslim identity.

"We cannot seek solutions for our families using terms and concepts constructed within the Western cultural civilization. It is fundamentally incompatible," he said. Prof. Can called for a comprehensive reform of the legal system, aligning it with the natural disposition (fitrah) and moral teachings of Islam.

Outlining a methodological framework for this reform, Can urged the audience to begin with accurate identification of root causes, followed by a faithful diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and the implementation of measures guided by divine principles. “In order to get better, we must implement the right progress formulation,” he emphasized.

Rediscovering Qur'anic Mediation Principles

Dr. Elif Kübra Türkmen, an expert in family law and mediator, presented a nuanced comparison between Western and Islamic approaches to family mediation. She clarified that while in Europe, mediation is often used to facilitate divorce, the Islamic perspective prioritizes resolution and harmony within the family.

“In Islamic law, mediation is not a legal formality; it is a spiritual and moral duty,” she said. Quoting the Qur'an, she pointed out that when serious disputes arise between spouses, the Holy Book advises appointing an arbitrator from each family to restore peace and understanding.

Türkmen advocated for the institutionalization of family mediation centers in Türkiye, ideally state-supported but with roles for civil society and NGOs until such mechanisms are fully operational. She pointed to successful examples in countries like Morocco, where faith-based mediation models have helped stabilize family structures.

She also highlighted the economic and procedural efficiency of mediation: “This is a faster, less costly, and more compassionate system that also eases the burden on the judiciary.”

The Moral Decay Behind Societal Collapse

In a heartfelt and sobering address, Bilal Ay, President of the Clean Society Association, drew connections between the collapse of family units and the broader degeneration of social institutions. Beginning with the assertion, “If we cannot realise social resurrection and moral rise, it is not possible to rise in any field,” Ay painted a stark picture of the consequences of moral erosion.

“When compassion is replaced by selfishness, justice by power, respect by indifference, and morality by popularity, society begins to disintegrate,” he warned. Ay emphasized that it is within the family unit that individuals first learn essential human values like justice, mercy, and responsibility.

Drawing on history, he reminded the audience that even great civilizations such as the Roman Empire fell not only due to external pressures but also internal moral collapse. “Strong families have been behind strong societies throughout history. The loss of family means the loss of society,” he declared.

Ay also stressed the importance of intergenerational continuity: “Families are the first schools. Before there were states or governments, there were families. This is how values were passed on.”

A Unified Call for Action

The panel concluded with a unifying message: the future of Turkish society depends on the strength and integrity of its families. All speakers underscored the importance of creating institutional frameworks for family mediation that reflect Türkiye’s cultural, religious, and social context.

The event received strong engagement from participants, with many expressing the need for further dialogue and training in faith-based conflict resolution and family strengthening.

As Türkiye continues to face the challenges of modernization, urbanization, and social transformation, events like this reflect a growing movement within civil society to seek guidance from Islamic teachings and indigenous values in protecting the sanctity of family life.

HÜDA PAR’s initiative marks a step toward institutionalizing family mediation as a compassionate, efficient, and morally grounded alternative to litigation and societal fracture. (ILKHA)