Members of prominent Turkic-American institutions pose together during a recognition ceremony on the annual “Turkic Cultural Day” in Trenton, New Jersey.
Date posted: November 20, 2014
New Jersey hosted its Turkic Day at the Trenton War Memorial.
The day was officially recognized five years ago and has been celebrated ever since.
In his opening remarks the head of the Turkic American Council, Furkan Kosar emphasized the importance of building bridges through cultural organizations.
Furkan Kosar, Turkic American Council: “We have been doing this for more than 10 years through interfaith and intercultural dialogue but the last four years we have been doing this as Turkic Day. We are trying to gather elected officials and Turkic Americans at the state house.”
Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat from the New Jersey Senate spoke of the state as a melting pot of cultures.
Senator Diane Allen from the Republican party also commented on the future of inter cultural relations and sending a message of harmony to younger generations.
The event was attended by legislators, senators and elected officials.
It ended with a musical rendition in true Turkic tradition.
American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA) held its annual Ramadan Tent on July 17-19 this year. The tent stayed up in the parking lot of Unity of Fairfax Church for 3 consecutive days and hosted approximately around 750 people each evening over Iftar Dinner. Asm. Kenneth Plum appreciates ATFA’s efforts to bring together people from different faiths and cultures.
Gülen becomes litmus test for American media
The International Herald Tribune and the New York Times published a story on Fethulah Gulen and the civic society movement he has inpsired, the Hizmet movement. It was the same story with different headlines. It was full of mistakes if not defamation. Below is a detailed analysis of the the news.
Coup attempt in Turkey puts Tulsa Turks in difficult position
Muhammet Ali Sezer, the incoming executive director of the Raindrop Turkish Cultural Center, said it will be impossible for him to return to his homeland unless the political situation improves. “If I go back to Turkey, I don’t know what they will do to me,” said Sezer. He also said he fears for his father and brother who live in Turkey.
‘Living Together’ under capital punishment
Yavuz Baydar An intensity of expectations and a fear of failure are now part of the peculiar process of Turkey’s transition towards democracy. It becomes rough and complicated, as days go by; it has hit serious snags. The heart of the matter is living together in peace and accord. When I watched a fresh manifestation […]
The intra-Turkish debate on the Mavi Marmara
But this does not mean that all Turks think the same way about the Turkish activists on the Mavi Marmara, and the particular course of action some of them took. In fact, an interesting debate has just begun – and within a very interesting place: the Islamic camp.
US Unlikely to ‘Speed Up’ Gulen’s Extradition to Turkey
Turkey has formally requested that the U.S. government extradite Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen from the state of Pennsylvania where he has lived in self-imposed exile for 17 years. Turkey is pushing for quick extradition, suggesting that U.S.-Turkish relations are at stake. But the burden of proof rests squarely on Ankara, and if it cannot sufficiently prove its accusations against Gulen, the extradition request will be refused.
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
Hizmet school ready to pioneer education in Kurdish
Ramadan Feast: Community Bonding at Its Best from the Turkish Cultural Center
Plot against Gülen movement put into action based on lies, false confessions
Muslim Leader Condemns Synagogue Killings
Fethullah Gulen Talked to Kurdish TV on Kurds, human rights and Erdogan
UN-DESA 53rd Commission for Social Development
Gülen calls on followers to adapt to PM’s teaching center closures