17.02.2025 12:30
The tradition of the "zimem defteri," which has been passed down from the Ottoman period to the present day, was once again brought to life in Adana. A charitable citizen paid off a debt of 40,000 lira that was written in the credit ledger of a local grocery store in a neighborhood before Ramadan. The shopkeeper informed the community about the situation by writing on the shop's window, "All debts have been settled by benefactors."
Ogün Sever Okur, the president of the Ogün Abi Association operating in Adana, took action to pay off the debts of local grocery stores before the upcoming Ramadan. First, Okur visited the grocery store owned by Adile Yeşildağ in the Anadolu neighborhood of the central Yüreğir district and stated that he wanted to pay the neighborhood's debts.
Okur made a payment for the entire debt of 40,000 lira written in the ledger.
Grocery store owner Adile Yeşildağ announced that all debts had been paid by putting a sign on her shop window that read, "All debts have been paid by benefactors."
"THE HUSBANDS OF THE WOMEN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE IN PRISON"
Speaking to İhlas News Agency, grocery store owner Adile Yeşildağ said, "There are many people in need in our neighborhood. Therefore, there are many debts as well. A benefactor came before Ramadan and paid all the debts, we are very happy. There are many women in our neighborhood, and their husbands are either dead or in prison. They were not in a position to pay."
A citizen named İsmail Budan stated that he had a debt of about 4,000 lira and was very happy that it had been paid.
"We will also pay off the debts of other grocery stores."
"WE ARE MAKING DONATIONS THANKS TO OUR DONORS"
Ogün Sever Okur explained that he would visit many grocery stores in Adana, saying, "Thanks to the donors who support our association, we are able to make such donations. Today we came to this grocery store in the neighborhood, but in the coming days, we will go to other grocery stores and make payments. It is very important to touch people's lives. By paying off the debts, we have given both the grocery store and the citizens a little breathing room," he stated.