The Queens Turkish Cultural Center, organized the 10th annual Ramadan Tent to serve free food at the time of iftar
Olsan Turan, Turkish Cultural Center, Queens: “Just we would like to share our traditions. Each day we’re expecting more than 1,000 people.”
A cleric from the local community gave a heartfelt message to the invitees.
The hosts opened the event to followers of all faiths, including Jews, Hindus and Christians.
Sufi music, authentic Turkish food and good company. The guests couldn’t ask for more.
Olsan Turan, Turkish Cultural Center, Queens: “And it just opened my heart, just completely. I can’t be thankful enough. It was wonderful.”
Over the past decade, the center has committed its resources to strengthening ties in the community. Residents in Queens told me they’re pleased to come to an event where they enjoyed a delicious dinner and made new friends.
Alevis and Sunnis to Search for Peace and a Future Together at Abant Meeting
Upcoming 30th meeting of the Abant Platform will search for a peaceful common future for Alevis and Sunnis who have been living peacefully together in Anatolia despite external provocations and some unwanted interruptions. The coexistence in the past promises hope for future. The meeting is themed as “Alevis and Sunnis: Searching for Peace and a Future Together,” which will be attended by intellectuals who will also be part of the solution.
What do Alevis want?
Alevis have been traditionally considering themselves a minority because their interpretation of Islam differs from the state’s understanding. In such a climate, the Abant Platform organized [a Gulen Movement affiliated organization] a three-day-long meeting by Lake Abant over the weekend, bringing representatives from the Alevi and Sunni community. Personally, I learned a lot from the meeting which almost served as a channel for venting for Alevis.
‘I like the vitality of the participation and the vitality of hospitality within the Hizmet Movement’
I believe, certainly in the United States as I’m experiencing the Hizmet Movement, I’m experiencing extraordinary hospitality, a great warmth of people, a genuine spirit, an openness, a compassionate style.
Family, friends losing hope as Calgary imam arrested in Turkey remains imprisoned
For a year, Calgary imam Davud Hanci has spent most of his days in solitary confinement in Turkey, accused of being a terrorist linked to failed 2016 coup attempt. “They’re just holding him there and they don’t want to release him because they don’t have any real evidence,” said Malik Muradov, executive director of Calgary’s Intercultural Dialogue Institute and a friend of Hanci.
Gülen issues condolence message for Iraqi victims of ISIL
Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has sent a message of condolence to the families of the victims of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization in Iraq and he has condemned ISIL’s violence. Gülen’s statement, which addressed Kurdish, Turkmen, Arab, Yazidi, Shiite and Sunni families in Iraq, was published in the leading newspapers of Iraq’s Kurdish region such as Rudaw, Hawlati, Basnews, Kürdistany Nwe, Xebat and Çawder.
Peace Islands Institute Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The Peace Islands Institute (PII) is ten years old now. Its 10th Anniversary and 6th Annual Award Ceremony was held on June 2, 2013. Over 200 guests and many dignitaries joined the PII to applaud the accomplishments of the honorees and to celebrate PII’s 10th anniversary. The honorees and guests all applauded the PII for becoming an agent of dialogue, love and peace-building within a short span of time.
Latest News
Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice
Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say
Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?
Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case
A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook
Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?
Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis
University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links
In Case You Missed It
Hizmet’s role in global peace, interfaith dialogue highlighted in African conference
GYV’s dialogue center not returned despite court order
The more we learn, the more we are the same
Joint mosque-cemevi project launched in Tokat
Turkey has not achieved enough democratization for Fethullah Gülen’s return
Nigerian vice-ambassador demands more Turkish schools in his country
Nigerian Turkish schools denies links to Turkey coup
