UN Interfaith Iftar Dinner


Date posted: June 20, 2016

The first Iftar Dinner of 2016 was given at the United Nations by Peace Islands Institute and the Journalists & Writers Foundation. The Iftar dinner gathered members of different faith communities to give a message of peace, harmony, and solidarity to the whole world. Despite conflicts and violence extremism that are happening around the world, faith communities stand united together as One celebrating the traditions of fating in different religions.

UN-Iftar-Dinner1

On the same day, Peace Islands Institute and the Journalists & Writers Foundation in partnership with Nagasaki Interfaith Council (Japan) and Buddhist Council of New York, organized a United Nations Interfaith Conference titled: “The Role of Interfaith Education in Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace” at the UN ECOSOC Chamber at 3-6 pm. Following the conference, the UN Interfaith Iftar dinner was held at the United Nations’ Delegates Dining Room. The Iftar dinner brought together member states and civil society organizations from Japan, Mozambique, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Ethiopia, and the USA – leaders who are the movers and shakers of social change in their communities. The dinner aimed to share the traditions of fasting in the religions and cultures across the globe, as well as provide a message of peace – we stand stronger when united.

UN-Iftar-Dinner2

The speakers comprised of leading academics, experts and religious figures, all of which gathered to collaborate and discuss how interfaith education, tolerance, and respect for diversity on a global scale, can propagate sustainable global peace. As part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it is integral that both religious leaders and civil society organizations support peace and inclusive societies.

Mehmet-Kilic---UN-Iftar-Dinner-2016

.

Mehmet Kilic, the Director of the Center for Global Affairs at the Peace Islands Institute opened the dinner, describing the importance of global issues, such as climate change and violent extremism that are now trickling down to affect each of us in our local communities.

.

..

Huseyin-Hurmali-UN-Iftar-Dinner-2016

.

He invited the first speaker Huseyin Hurmali, the Vice-President of Journalists and Writers Foundation to the platform. Mr. Hurmali discussed how the foundation works to encourage peace-building and sustainable development. The peace can only be stimulated when people from all walks of life, religions and beliefs can unite together, instead of divide separately.

.

Hakan-Yesilova-UN-Itfar-Dinner-2016.

Hakan Yesilova, the editor-in- chief of The Fountain Magazine spoke about the beauty and richness of our diverse global cultures and identities, of which we can only appreciate when “we come together, meet one another, and thus get to know one another”. He highlighted the meaningfulness of the Iftar dinner, which brings together a diverse range of people to break the same bread and share the same table, as well as engage in introspective dialogue within a safe and secure space.

..

.

UN-Iftar-Dinner4

The former Archbishop of Mozambique, Dinis Salomão Sengulane, spoke on the peacefulness and inclusivity of fasting, which has made him feel invited during the time of Ramadan. He went on to support this cooperation, as “In all of our spiritual journey’s, we must ensure that we are investing in peace”.

Fariha-Pervez-UN-Iftar-DinnerFariha Pervez, a celebrated singer from Pakistan performed a Sufi musical piece that illustrated the importance of compassion and dangers self-pride. Ramadan is a time of self-control, self-reflection and caring for one another whatever religion or belief one may have. Thus during this blessed period, the role of interfaith education is all the more crucial in expediting world peace.

The recent surge of violent extremism and religious radicalisation has no doubt influenced contemporary global issues. However, with a better understanding of interfaith dialogue, a concept that positively promotes acceptance in the diversity of our religions and belief systems, we can continue to work towards global sustainable peace.

.

UN-Iftar-Dinner5

Amir Vahab and his Ensemble performed Sufi music from different regions of the world during the dinner. Music is the universal language that contributes to peace, harmony, and solidarity among people from diverse cultural, religious, ethnic, and national backgrounds.

Source: Peace Islands Institute , June 15, 2016


Related News

Hizmet Essay Contest 2015

The Hizmet Essay Contest is an annual contest series that encourages research on the Hizmet movement as well as the works of the Turkish Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gulen. The contest aims to motivate individuals to think critically about issues that affect the international society and, how to tackle these important issues from a Hizmet perspective.

Evolution of the Gulen [Hizmet] Movement

HizmetNews.COM  November  14, 2012 Members of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) gathered in Washington DC for a follow up discussion on the Gulen Movement on October 19, 2012. The group’s director Dr. Bulent Aliriza hosted the discussion… and said that the Gulen movement, perhaps more than any other in overall Turkish picture, […]

US Court Dismisses Turkey-backed Lawsuit against Fethullah Gülen

A US District Court in Pennsylvania today dismissed a politically-motivated lawsuit against Fethullah Gülen, an internationally respected Turkish scholar, preacher and peace activist. Brought about by three Turkish nationals with the backing of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan-led Turkish government, the baseless lawsuit alleged persecution of the Doğan Movement at the direction of Mr. Gülen.

Goods signed by Obama, Stallone auctioned at Turkish organization fundraiser

Boxing gloves, baseballs and photographs signed by public figures like US President Barack Obama and actor Sylvester Stallone were auctioned off at a fundraising event for a Turkish group in New York City on Friday.

Int’l symposium in Washington D.C. to discuss Hizmet’s contribution to world peace

An international symposium under the name of ‘The Hizmet Movement and PeaceBuilding” will be held on Oct. 25-26 in Washington D.C. In attendance at the symposium organized by Georgetown University, American University, Mount St. Mary’s University and the Rumi Forum will be numerous academics and scientists from more than 20 countries in six continents.

Fethullah Gulen promotes democracy (CBS News)

Fethullah Gulen promotes tolerance, interfaith dialog, and above-all: he promotes education. And yet he’s a mystery man — he’s never seen or heard in public — and the more power he gains, the more questions are raised about his motives and the schools.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

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

In Case You Missed It

Erdoğan prepares for a bloodbath

Hizmet’s role in global peace, interfaith dialogue highlighted in African conference

Source claims US not probing into Gulenists’ alleged role in Russian ambassador’s murder

After The Coup Attempt, A Crackdown In Turkey

Somali students caring for the Soma orphans

Fethullah Gulen’s Video Message for International Women’s Day

How to Fix Turkey’s Fall From International Favor

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News