Biography:
Mehmet Buyukgezirci is an experienced Spiritual Care Provider, Chaplain, Imam, and Interfaith Care Practitioner with more than 15 years of experience serving individuals, families, patients, incarcerated persons, newcomers, youth, and diverse communities. His work has included hospital chaplaincy, correctional and prison ministry, newcomer support, humanitarian service, community spiritual care, grief and crisis support, pastoral counselling, and interfaith engagement. He has completed multiple units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), including Basic and Advanced CPE, through Providence Health Care / Vancouver School of Theology and Respect Graduate School. He also holds a Master’s degree in Hadith Studies and a Bachelor of Theology from Marmara University, along with additional training in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care.
His personal and professional journey across Türkiye, Europe, Iraq, the United States, and Canada has shaped his understanding of resilience, displacement, hope, compassion, and the importance of accompanying people through difficult moments. These experiences continue to guide his commitment to respectful, culturally responsive, person-centred, and interfaith spiritual care.
Profession:
Spiritual Care Provider | Chaplain | Imam | Interfaith Care Practitioner | CPE-Trained Spiritual Care Professional
Why is IRES important to you that you are investing your time and resources in it?
IRES is important to me because I strongly believe that respectful dialogue, mutual understanding, education, and meaningful relationships can bring people from different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds closer together. Throughout my life and career, I have seen how compassion, listening, and interfaith cooperation can reduce misunderstanding and help communities become more peaceful and supportive.
I am investing my time and resources in IRES because its mission aligns closely with my own commitment to spiritual care, interfaith dialogue, community service, and human dignity. I believe that building bridges between people is not only professional work for me, but also a lifelong responsibility and calling.
Hobbies:
Travelling, reading, learning about different cultures and faith traditions, community service, interfaith dialogue, spending time in nature, teaching, mentoring youth, and participating in humanitarian and educational activities.
Cultural Heritage:
Turkish
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