The Sisters Behind the Mission: Meet the Gallipoli Sisters Team

Behind every gathering, halaqah, and workshop at Gallipoli Sisters is a team of dedicated women who give their time, energy, and hearts to serving the community. As we move into 2026, we’re honoured to introduce the team helping shape the spaces, conversations, and connections that define Gallipoli Sisters.

Gallipoli Sisters, a program under Gallipoli iYouth, exists to bring women together through Islamic teachings, meaningful dialogue, and shared experiences. At the core of this work is a belief that when sisters are given welcoming, intentional spaces, they are empowered to grow spiritually, support one another, and contribute confidently to the wider community

Şerife Yücel

Role: Coordinator, English Islamic Lectures & Sisters’ Programs

Şerife is the coordinator for the English Islamic lectures and sisters’ programs at Auburn Gallipoli Mosque. With over 20 years of experience as a primary school teacher and many years involved in youth and women’s programs, her passion has always been to nurture character, confidence, and a love of Islam within the community.

She chose to serve with Gallipoli Sisters because the masjid is like a second home to her. As a mother of four and a long-time student of the Qur’an, Şerife feels blessed to work alongside a team of dedicated sisters to help create safe, uplifting spaces where women and girls feel seen, supported, and spiritually nourished.

Zara Catal

Role: Team Leader

As a university student and team leader for Gallipoli Sisters, Zara is deeply passionate about fostering a genuine sense of sisterhood within the community. She chose to volunteer because she believes the mosque should be a welcoming and supportive space where sisters feel connected, comfortable, and encouraged to grow in their faith.

To Zara, sisterhood means showing up for one another, building meaningful relationships, and creating spaces where every sister feels seen and valued. Being part of Gallipoli Sisters allows her to give back in a way that feels purposeful and to support a community that uplifts and strengthens sisters at every stage of their journey.

Sister Özlem

Role: Lecturer

Sister Özlem is a high school science teacher who believes that science deepens our sense of awe and points us towards a purposeful Creator, rather than standing in conflict with belief. Her passion lies in helping young people explore the harmony between faith, learning, and critical thinking.

She volunteers at the mosque because she strongly believes in the importance of creating safe spaces where young people can ask questions, explore doubts, and reflect thoughtfully on life, society, and the role faith plays within it. Through her involvement with Gallipoli Sisters, she hopes to nurture curiosity, confidence, and a deeper connection to Islam.

Safiye Othman

Role: Social Media Manager

As a university student overseeing social media and design for Gallipoli Sisters, Safiye aims to use digital platforms as tools to cultivate sisterhood within the community. With a strong background in graphic design, she is passionate about creating visual spaces that resonate with Muslim youth.

Through thoughtful design and storytelling, Safiye hopes to reflect the warmth, faith, and inclusivity of Gallipoli Sisters, ensuring sisters feel connected not only in person, but also online.

Gulsum Demiryurek

Role: Lecturer

Gulsum is a primary school teacher with many years of experience nurturing hearts and minds through education. She has taught scripture in schools, facilitated workshops at Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, and led youth programs and halaqas.

Deeply passionate about seeking and sharing knowledge, Gulsum believes that true knowledge is the knowledge of Allah reflected throughout the universe. She sees Gallipoli Sisters as a beautiful space where a sister’s spiritual journey can begin, grow, and continue, and looks forward to walking this path of learning and reflection together with the community.

Zeliha Mehcur

Role: Lecturer

Zeliha is a primary school teacher and mother of three teenagers with a long-standing passion for working with children and youth. Through her work in both educational and community settings, she has seen firsthand the importance of providing safe spaces for young Muslims to ask questions, explore doubts, and deepen their understanding of faith.

She views Gallipoli Sisters as a place where young sisters can learn, bond, and socialise with others on the same journey, a reminder that we are not alone, and that growing together strengthens both faith and community.

Serving Through Volunteering

The Gallipoli Sisters team reflects the heart of volunteering: service rooted in faith, sincerity, and care for others. Each sister brings her own experiences and strengths, contributing to a collective effort that allows meaningful spaces to flourish.

Gallipoli Sisters is shaped not only by its coordinators and facilitators, but by every sister who attends, supports, and gets involved. As we move through 2026, we welcome sisters who wish to contribute their time, skills, or ideas to be part of this ongoing mission of connection, growth, and sisterhood. 

Find out how you can help build a growing community of sisters through our dedicated communication channels.