Front World Book and Copyright Daymarked every year on April 23, Miko Alazas’s IOM caught up with a bibliophile in Adiyaman, Türkiye, who is helping heal his community through the power of books.
Muhammed remembers clearly the day his uncle gave him his first storybook. At the age of 10, this was the beginning of his love of literature.
When he was growing up, he often arranged book club meetings with his friends. In his teens, he organized book fairs. After college, he worked in journalism.
In his 20s, he envisioned his dream retirement plan: opening a bookstore.
When the earthquake struck his hometown of Adiyaman in 2023 and left a trail of destruction, he had no idea that his retirement plans would come true decades early.
“I lost many relatives and witnessed many terrible things,” Muhammed recalled of the immediate aftermath. “We must all come together as neighbors, as one community.
He spent some time in Istanbul for medical treatment, then returned to Adiyaman wondering what his next step would be.
As part of the recovery plan, the authorities built a ‘social market’ in the center of town – a place with various shops to serve the needs of the people and revive economic activity. Included in the plans is a bookstore.
Muhammed, known in the community as a book lover, topped the list of recommended people who could be trusted to open and run a bookstore.
“I was selected by the authorities to lead this effort and was provided with the first set of books by the Turkish Red Crescent,” he said. “I started from zero. Everything was destroyed after the earthquake.”
Despite the uphill battle, Muhammed was driven by the belief that books could support the collective healing process in his community.
“My goal is to help people recover through books. Books can teach everything and make people feel everything, from pain to happiness.”
Starting with old iron shelves, Muhammed wanted to transform his bookstore into a more charming and comfortable space.
Through the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) cash grant program, Muhammed was able to purchase new bookshelves.
“The cash grant program is part of IOM’s broader support for recovery efforts in the affected area. Working closely with local authorities, we assist selected entrepreneurs in purchasing items or equipment, helping them re-establish or expand their businesses. This in turn boosts socio-economic activity,” explains Çağlar Yetişkin, IOM Country Project Director (Livelihoods).
As of March 2024, 333 entrepreneurs in 10 provinces have received cash grants. Recipients include migrants, refugees and host community members, including sectors such as food, textiles and services.
Muhammed is one of more than 300 entrepreneurs affected by the earthquake to benefit from IOM’s cash grant program.
Nearly a year since opening the bookstore, Muhammed feels satisfied with his current life even though he just experienced such a terrible disaster not long ago.
“I love this business. I am happy when I am with books. I meet people from all walks of life and have a special relationship with each of my clients.”
Muhammed also participated in efforts to reestablish public libraries, named in memory of literature teachers who died in the earthquake. Through this, he hopes to make books more accessible.
“When you read, you are fascinated by a new world,” he commented.
Indeed, every day, Muhammed hopes that his clients will be brought into a new world of healing and hope in the midst of tragedy.
