Al Gore’s daughter fasted for the first time for Peace Islands Institute’s iftar dinner


Date posted: August 6, 2014

SEZAI KALAYCI

Iftar dinner (breaking of fast), which was held in Columbia University, brought together numerous prominent members of the community. The event, organized by Peace Islands Institute (PII), New York Interfaith Center and Columbia University Religious Studies Department, hosted former US Vice President Al Gore’s daughter Karenna Gore and one of the Indonesia’s prominent religious figures, Imam Shamsi Ali.

Sarah Sayeed, director of New York Interfaith Dialog Center, hosted the program that started with breaking the fast as adhan (call to prayer) was chanted. Dean of School of Engineering Dr. Mary Boyce, expressed that they are honored to be hosting the iftar, and said: “We have hosted many different events in this auditorium, but this event is very different from the others. We are very happy to host and know you.”

“FASTING TAUGHT ME A LOT”

Karenna Gore, one of the organizers of the Iftar dinner event, said that she fasted first time in her life. She also said that she wanted to share the feelings of Muslims who are fasting. She added, “The primary reason I fasted is to experience how it feels to fast and how Muslims manage fasting.”

Gore, the founder of the civil society organization “Union Forum” said she is not sure if she can succeed fasting. Gore told “Frankly I’m so hungry”, and mentioned that quit drinking my everyday coffee cause me headache. She further continued: “Throughout the day I figured, fasting taught me eating and drinking at anytime is so precious”

Fasting also showed me how much we waste. There is always more food than we can eat around us. This abundance and waste reminded me, throughout the day, those people who can not find anything to eat suffer from hunger. All these were very valuable for me to learn and feel. ”

Disclaimer: The original article is in Turkish. Slight deviations from the original meaning may have occurred due to the difficulties in translating phrases and idioms. PII volunteers translated the article.

Source: Zaman Amerika , July 18, 2014

Tags: | | |


Related News

US says Turkey favors Sunni Islam over other creeds

A US State Department report has claimed that the Turkish government is prejudiced in favor of its Sunni Islamic citizens and neglects the needs of members of the country’s other minority religions, in addition to frequently employing anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Texas Senate passes resolution commending Fethullah Gülen

ALİ H. ASLAN, WASHINGTON The senate of the US state of Texas on Tuesday passed a resolution commending respected Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen for his contributions to the promotion of global peace and understanding. Senate Resolution No. 85, which was approved during Tuesday’s session chaired by Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, said, “The Senate of […]

Catholics, Hizmet bring faiths closer in the US

In the view of doomsday reports from the US, it does not come as a surprise how ordinary Americans from all faiths, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, have worked meticulously to bridge the gap and sheer absence of dialogue between these three Abrahamic religions especially in the context of post 9/11 world. SAURABH KUMAR SHAHI | […]

Enes Kanter Education Fund to award students with scholarship

Embrace Relief, in cooperation with Mr. Kanter, will be establishing a scholarship fund for new college freshmen. As many of you know, Embrace Relief is dedicated to assisting our local communities in need and helping those who are financially struggling.

Thousands attend Turkish Festival in Johannesburg

Thousands of people have attended the fourth Turkish Culture and Food Festival at the Zoo Lake, a popular lake and public park in Johannesburg. “I feel like am in Turkey today,” Janet Lerato, one of the festival attendees, told the Anadolu Agency. The festival held on Saturday and Sunday, features Turkish folk dancing, performance by […]

Division at home, cooperation abroad

Last week I visited Canada to speak at a panel on Turkey in Ottawa and give a lecture on Turkey-EU relations at the Munk School for Global Affairs in Toronto. The panel was part of the first Turkic-Canadian Convention intended to boost economic and cultural relations between Canada and Turkey. The convention was organized by the Anatolian Heritage Federation and was also attended by five members of the Turkish Parliament from the three major parties.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Turkey- the state versus the people

TUSKON cautions gov’t to make careful decisions on Syria issue

Fethullah Gulen – a humanist par excellence

Tunisia was able to make constitution because of concessions of all parties

Opinion: Does the Turkish Intelligence Agency Plan to Abduct Turkish Dissidents from the US?

Thousands of Pakistanis have cataract surgery courtesy of Kimse Yok Mu

Whistleblower says gov’t preparing to close down Gülen-inspired schools

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News