Central Türkiye’s Konya has been named the Youth Capital of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for 2026, a title awarded annually by the organization.
Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) President Taha Ayhan announced that Konya was selected following a vote held during the forum’s first Executive Board meeting of 2026. Ayhan stated that Iran’s Tabriz, Uzbekistan’s Tashkent and Türkiye’s Konya were nominated as candidate cities, and that Konya was officially declared the winner after the voting process.
Established in 2015, the OIC Youth Capital program designates one city from an OIC member state each year with the aim of strengthening solidarity, cultural exchange and a shared vision among young people from the Islamic world and Muslim minority communities. The program features seminars, conferences, cultural and artistic events, along with various social activities.
The 2025 Youth Capital program was hosted by Marrakech in Morocco, following previous editions held in cities such as Shusha in Azerbaijan, Kazan in Russia’s Tatarstan region, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Doha in Qatar, bringing together thousands of young participants.
Konya was selected by the ICYF Executive Board due to its strong historical background, rich cultural heritage and contributions to intercultural dialogue. Throughout 2026, the city is expected to host numerous international events, welcoming thousands of young people from across the Islamic world.
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ahmet Murat Koru welcomed the decision, stating that the city plans to organize a wide range of events inspired by its cultural heritage and to host international guests in the best possible way.
Known for its deep-rooted history and religious significance, Konya has long been a crossroads of civilizations. As one of Türkiye’s largest cities by area, it has been a major settlement since ancient times and served as the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum in the 12th and 13th centuries. The city is also globally recognized as the home of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, whose philosophy of tolerance, spirituality and human unity continues to shape Konya’s cultural identity and international reputation.
