Prominent figures gather together at GYV iftar dinner in Istanbul

Many prominent figures sat around an iftar table together on Thursday night at an event held by the Journalists and Writers Foundation. (Photo: Cihan, Turgut Engin)
Many prominent figures sat around an iftar table together on Thursday night at an event held by the Journalists and Writers Foundation. (Photo: Cihan, Turgut Engin)


Date posted: July 12, 2013

TUĞBA MEZARARKALI / KEVSER KULAKSIZ

Distinguished spiritual leaders in Turkey, politicians, artists, diplomats, businesspeople and journalists came together for an iftar at İstanbul’s Four Seasons Hotel on Thursday night for an event held by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV).

Among the guests at the foundation’s 19th annual iftar were the spokesperson of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Father Dositheos Anağnostopulos, World Ehl-i Beyt Foundation head Fermani Altun, Turkish Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yusuf Çetin, film producer and theater artist Hamdi Alkan, businessman Ali Ağaoğlu and former Rize deputy Şevki Yılmaz.

Delivering the opening speech at the event, GYV Chairman Mustafa Yeşil said the organization’s iftar table brought together people from different segments of Turkish society.

“Our foundation has always stressed and will always stress living together [in peace]. What we need is a pluralistic democracy, human rights and freedoms, and the rule of law,” Yeşil said.

Ağaoğlu, who also spoke, praised the GYV iftar and its efforts toward peaceful coexistence.

“The GYV contributes a lot to unity and solidarity in this country,” he said.

The GYV was established in 1994, and the foundation’s mission is inspired by GYV Honorary President Fethullah Gülen, known for his teachings of hizmet (service), tolerance and dialogue. The Turkish nongovernmental organization works toward its vision of national and global unity through its research center and five independent platforms, each of which specializes in a different field. The platforms have won recognition for contributing to the intellectual resources of both the GYV and Turkey.

During Thursday’s iftar, a speech Gülen delivered at the Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center in 1996 was broadcast. In the speech, Gülen spoke of the importance of showing tolerance to others and accepting everyone as they are.

Süleyman Bitlisi, an opinion leader who attended the event, said he was very happy about coming together with people of other faiths.

Alkan said people of different religions and languages can still be united in their hearts — and that this was what he saw at the GYV iftar table.

“Mr. Gülen said something in his message. He talked about the importance of tolerance. We need to feel this strongly,” he said.

Altun said he prays to God for the continuation of the coexistence displayed at the iftar.

Sending his regards to Gülen, Altun said his friendship with the Turkish-Islamic scholar has lasted 20 years, and that he thinks Gülen does great service for humanity.

gyv-iftar-dinner-1gyv-iftar-dinner-2gyv-iftar-dinner-3

Source: Today's Zaman , July 12, 2013


Related News

Lessons from Dec. 17: Who is parallel?

To prove whether the Gülen movement has a parallel structure , one has to establish that the investigations and wiretappings were not conducted within the scope of a legal investigation. If that is proven, one has to demonstrate that the police and prosecutors in charge of the investigations were receiving instructions not from the state but from sources within the movement. Both of these claims have to be proven with evidence.

Hizmet movement and government

Yavuz Baydar  June 14, 2012 Is it the movement attacking the government, or vice versa? Some believe that it is, some hope that it is, some deny that it is and many others feel deeply concerned that it is. I tend to belong to the latter camp. It is undeniable that the Hizmet movement (aka […]

Gulen-linked school manager released on bail by Tbilisi court

The manager of a private school linked to the exiled Turkish preacher Fethullah Gülen was released on bail by a Tbilisi court on Monday. Mustafa Emre Cabuk was arrested in May, 2017 in what appeared to be a case of pressure exerted by Turkey on Georgian authorities to crack down on institutions associated with Fethullah Gülen.

Today’s Zaman journalist faces deportation [from Turkey] over critical tweets on government

Zeynalov, a national of Azerbaijan, has been put on a list of foreign individuals who are barred from entering Turkey under Law No. 5683, because of “posting tweets against high-level state officials,” The move comes in an already-troubling atmosphere for media freedom. Late on Wednesday, Parliament passed a controversial bill tightening government control over the Internet in a move that critics say is aimed at silencing dissent.

Response to aspersion on Hizmet

HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) made an important statement on Thursday. Its press release, issued in connection with the recent tension that threatens to disrupt social consensus, seeks to defuse tension with regards to the rift between the government and the Hizmet movement. “[T]he ways in which legitimate demands are voiced should […]

Fethullah Gülen’s prospects for inter-religious dialogue

Fethullah Gülen has emerged as one of the most persuasive and influential voices in the Muslim community calling for dialogue as a step toward peace. Indeed, he offers “a way to live out Islamic values amidst the complex demands of modern societies and to engage in ongoing dialogue and cooperation with people of other religions.”

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

Jailed Zaman editor says we are journalists, not terrorists

Atlantic Institute promotes peace through dialogue

Turkey’s first intercultural dialogue center built on trust, offers quality services

Self-criticism by the Hizmet movement

Court imposes punitive fine on author for libeling Gülen family

Young Peace Ambassadors Academy 2015 Graduation Ceremony

Mothers, fathers crying and praying due to extensive victimization

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News