Abdullah Gürsoy

He was born on February 5, 1990, in Istanbul. After completing his primary and secondary education in Istanbul, he continued his studies in Kırklareli, where he earned an associate degree in Computer Programming. He later received a Fulbright scholarship and studied in the United States for one year, completing a Software Specialization Program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). Upon returning to Turkey, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering and a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering at Beykent University. Between 2013 and 2020, he worked as a software developer for various media companies and led multiple technical teams in project-based roles. Throughout his academic and professional life, he participated in Mesnevi studies and traditional tekke music gatherings. After beginning his training in the sema ritual in 2010, he took part as a whirling dervish (semazen) and dhakir in numerous performances both in Turkey and abroad. Since September 2020, he has served as a semazen with the Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble, affiliated with the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He is married and has two children.