Pacific Dialogue Platform in Philippines was opened with Iftar


Date posted: October 9, 2011

Cihan News Agency, Aug 21, 2011.

International Fountain Schools and Pacific Dialogue Platform together in Manila, Philippines, organized a “Friendship and Iftar Dinner”. Officials, businessmen, politicians, board members from the country’s top universities, congressmen, high-level government and army officials, and journalists attended this pleasant event. The Pacific Dialogue Platform had their official opening at the dinner with nearly 250 guests. Dr. Şerif Ali Tekalan, President of Fatih University in Turkey, was also in attendance.

There was a display of hand made crafts. Ceramics, copperware, hand made crafts, and Kütahya chinaware that reflect Turkish culture were displayed to the guests. Guests were bewildered at the variety one culture could pertain. At the opening of the program, a professional calligraphy artist from Turkey amazed the audience as he wrote the names of Filipino guests.

During the iftar dinner, the audience enjoyed the Whirling Dervishes that came all the way from Turkey especially for this event. Philippino-Turkish Schools students sang a folk song called “Gurbet Kuşları” which brought an emotional ambiance to the program.

Ferhat Kazkondu, the president of Pacific Dialogue Platform, gave a warm speech of how great it is to see all colors of diversity at the Friendship and Iftar Dinner. Kazkondu expressed how proud and honored he was to have the opening of Pacific Dialogue Platform in such a welcoming environment. He made an announcement that the Dialogue Platform will organize seminars, conferences, out-of-state and in-state educational and cultural field trips. Kazkondu expressed a clear goal that these seminars and continuous activities would be the start of developing and improving dialogue starting among family members, then amongst neighbors, and finally reaching public and private sectors and other groups.

Iftar Dinner at the Philippine Parliament Next Year

Malik Gencer, Philippino-Turkish Schools’ general director, notified the audience that the iftar program for next year shall be held in the Parliament. Gencer said, “The high level of kindness and participation of the Filipinos made the opening and the iftar dinner splendid. These dialogue meetings shall be held throughout the year. We want to show the Anatolian hospitality to the friends we meet and keep in touch with them through organization of periodical Turkey trips. This is how our friendship will strengthen.

After the event, Prof. Dr. Şerif Ali Tekalan, President of Fatih University,spoke about the importance of the opening of the Dialogue Platform. Tekalan told the Cihan News Agency: “The opening of Pacific Dialogue Platform holds a separate meaning. Dialogue is a necessity in a world where everyone can talk and interact with each other. There was the perfect dialogue environment tonight at this iftar dinner. It was all because people from different cultures from different races were brought together. We need to have universal dialogue. I believe that dialogue is going to benefit all people in the future. We must put in more effort for such dialogue centers.”


pacific-dialog-platform-2Turkish Schools Symbolize Universal Dialogue

Randy David, the profound author and chair of Sociology department at University of the Philippines Diliman made a statement to Cihan News Agency about the importance of Turkish schools in his country. David said: “Turkish Schools symbolize universal dialogue and I believe that Turkish schools are bringing the best of their educational systems to the world. Turkish school system dates back to the Ottoman period. Turkish schools not only focus on art but also give strong emphasis on science and math. Turkish schools in Philippines are mostly known for their math and science education.”

Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano thanked the organizers of this event through Cihan News: “This dinner is an actual universal dinner where not only members of different religions and cultures but also people like senators, representative scholars came together. I believe that programs like this are what help us understand each other better.”

Source: http://www.beyazgazete.com/haber/2011/08/21/filipinler-de-pasifik-diyalog-platformu-ndan-iftarli-acilis.html (Original news is in Turkish. PII volunteers translated it to English)


Related News

Fears for Gulen-inspired Turkish schools in Pakistan grow

Maarif, the foundation that Pak-Turk schools to be transferred to, was set up by Turkish parliament and is an education foundation based on divisive political ideology and racism. It is founded by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkey to consign AKP’s partisan mentality and political ideology to Islamic and developing countries.

A rising profile for Turkish Cultural Center Vermont

Turkish Americans have fed and entertained the governor and other high officials at celebratory events. They’ve bestowed awards on local luminaries. They’ve sponsored subsidized tours of Turkey for Vermont legislators. And they’ve opened a spacious office in Burlington to serve as a gathering place both for members of their own community and as a hub for their efforts at cultural and educational outreach.

Kimse Yok Mu extends helping hand to Syrians in Jordan, Lebanon

6 April 2012 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL The Turkish charity foundation Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) has begun to send aid to thousands of Syrian refugees who have escaped to Lebanon and Jordan from their conflict-stricken homeland. Tens of thousands of Syrian citizens have taken shelter in the neighboring countries of Turkey, Jordan and […]

Niagara Foundation Peace and Dialogue Award Honorees Recognized in Chicago

2013 Annual Peace and Dialogue Awards by the Chicago-based Niagara Foundation were presented to their honorees at an event on September 16th in University Club of Chicago, a historic building of the city. At the ceremony emceed by Rob Stafford of NBC 5, the awards were given in the categories “Commitment”, “Public Service” and “Fethullah Gulen Award.” […]

Muslims and Jews celebrate Ramadan together in Sheepshead Bay

Jews and Muslims broke Halal and Kosher bread together at an interfaith dinner for iftar — the nightly meal during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Kings Bay Y, a Jewish community center in Sheepshead Bay, hosted the May 17 event in partnership with the Turkish Cultural Center of Brooklyn.

Turkish Schools Struggle to Exist in Afghanistan

Selcuk Gultasli, May 12, 2001 Turkish schools founded by Turkish entrepreneurs in Afghanistan in 1995 are now struggling to stay in the country after being accused by the Taliban administration of spreading Turkish nationalism and making pan-Turkic propaganda. The Taliban administration, which is not recognized by Turkey, has been applying one of the most radical […]

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

The intra-Turkish debate on the Mavi Marmara

Turkish charity Kimse Yok Mu drills 1,396 wells in Africa

Turkey-Kurdistan Regional Government ties: How and why did they improve this much?

SCF Reveals Mass Torture And Abuse In An Unofficial Detention Facility In Turkey’s Capital

The US Should Not Extradite Fethullah Gülen, To A Paranoid Turkish Government

Turkey’s harsh new reality: the gateway to Jihad Central

Nizamiye Will Perform 15,000 Cardiac Procedures In Nigeria

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News