Biography:
My journey in education, spiritual care, and community service began in 2005, when I became an imam and started serving at International SAPAT Educational Institution in Kyrgyzstan. During my sixteen years with SAPAT, I worked as a teacher, guidance counsellor, imam, and later as a school principal. These roles allowed me to support students, families, teachers, and community members through education, spiritual guidance, mentorship, and pastoral care.
After moving to Canada in 2021, I continued serving the Muslim community in Edmonton. I volunteered as a mentor-imam at Mosaic Education Centre and have served as a volunteer community imam with the Alberta Islamic Foundation. From 2022 to 2025, I worked as a school chaplain and imam at Nebula Academy Islamic School, where I led Friday and Eid prayers, taught Islamic studies, provided pastoral support, and organized youth, family, community, and interfaith programs.
My interest in correctional chaplaincy grew through my volunteer service at the Edmonton Remand Centre, where I have provided Friday prayers and Islamic spiritual care since 2023. I also serve on the Citizens Advisory Committee connected with the Edmonton Area Parole Office and Grierson Institution. This experience has helped me better understand the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals and those returning to the community. It has strengthened my belief that spiritual care, human connection, education, and supportive community relationships can play an important role in rehabilitation and successful reintegration.
I have completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education through Respect Graduate School and am currently pursuing a Master of Theological Studies at St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton. My academic background also includes a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Master of Education in Educational Management, a qualification in Psychology, and a Diploma in Education Assistance.
As a Sunni Muslim, I believe that serving people is an important expression of serving Allah. My approach is grounded in compassion, respect, attentive listening, and recognition of the dignity and potential within every human being. I value interfaith dialogue and strive to offer spiritual care in a way that respects each person’s beliefs, cultural background, and life experience.
Profession:
Imam, Chaplain, Educator, and Community Volunteer
Why is IRES important to you that you are investing your time and resources in it?
The mission of IRES to restore broken bonds strongly connects with my experience in education, chaplaincy, and correctional settings. I have seen how isolation, family difficulties, lack of guidance, and weak community connections can affect a person’s life. I have also seen how sincere care, spiritual support, education, and a welcoming community can help someone rediscover hope and rebuild their life.
I want to support IRES as a volunteer representative in Edmonton because its work goes beyond preaching. It seeks to walk alongside people, reconnect them with their faith and community, and support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. I believe that people should not be defined only by their mistakes. With appropriate guidance, accountability, compassion, and community support, individuals can grow, heal, and make meaningful contributions to society.
Through IRES, I hope to help strengthen connections among incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, Muslim organizations, correctional institutions, and the wider Edmonton community.
Hobbies:
Reading, walking, community engagement, mentoring, and interfaith dialogue.
Cultural Heritage:
Turkish
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