The American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA) organized the now much exclaimed 4th Legislative Reception, in Richmond, Virginia on February 6th 2013. Members of Virginia’s General Assembly, their staff, and Turkish Americans attended the reception at the Old City Hall. The reception provided a great atmosphere for all attendees including legislators to relax and enjoy each other’s company; also provided a time for the district representatives and Turkish Americans to more-intimately convers with one another.
Turkish food, desert and coffee were served at the reception, along with an expedition on the Ottoman Sultans’ Fermans written down about the Ottoman subjects various religions. The various Fermans by the Sultan legalized the freedom to practice different religions throughout Ottoman lands.
A few honorable speakers from the General Assembly gave lauding remarks about the Turkish American relations in Virginia. The speakers praised the Turkish Americans in their effort in the betterment of the community and in improving the relations of Turkey and The United States. Above all, this event further enhanced the relations of both countries.
Dr. Sophia Pandya specializes in women, religion, and globalization. She received her BA from UC Berkeley in Near Eastern Studies/Arabic, and her MA and PhD from UCSB in Religious Studies, with a focus on women and Islam. She co-edited the book titled The GulenHizmet Movement and its Transnational Activities: Case Studies of Altruistic Activism in Contemporary Islam.
Why does Turkey’s President Erdogan want Knicks’ Enes Kanter in jail?
A Turkish prosecutor asked for NBA’s New York Knicks star Enes Kanter to be jailed for up to four years for insulting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the state-run news agency Anadolu reported on Wednesday. “I have said less than that honorless (man) deserves. Add another 4 years for me, master,” he told his 526,000 Twitter followers.
Turks fleeing post-coup reprisals find shelter in Pittsburgh
Until this summer, Cetin Gul of Istanbul, Turkey, worked as a videographer for a company that did promotional work for clients that included a charity organization. That charity, Hizmet, is associated with the movement of Fethullah Gulen. After a deadly and unsuccessful coup attempt by some in the Turkish military in July, the government began suppressing organizations associated with him. “Because of the direct association with Hizmet, I was a direct target,” Mr. Gul said.
Filling in for Missing Pieces: Peacebuilding Through Education
The Fountain Magazine and the Peace Islands Institute (PII) recently organized an international conference titled “Peacebuilding Through Education: Challenges, Opportunities, Cases”. The conference featured prominent experts and policy maker from across the world. Hakan Yeşilova, the editor-in-chief of Fountain Magazine, made the welcoming speech. Below is his speech. Honorary Ministers, academics, guests: Good morning and […]
Gulen Charter Schools: Ignorance and Lies Beyond Reality
“Ignorance, fear, hatred, and lies beyond reality” seems to be a common pattern of many accusations in our world. The pattern well explains the motif of the statement, “Fethullah Gülen infiltrates the United States through our charter schools.” It seems to me that the only truth of the statement is that it aims to disturb […]
Turkish Cultural Center co-hosts Iftar at Westchester Reform Temple
Interfaith Gathering Breaks the Fast of Ramadan at Westchester Reform Temple, which was co-hosted by the Turkish Cultural Center. Mehmet Ozhabes, president of the Turkish Cultural Council welcomed everyone saying it is tradition to raise the tent and open the flap wide to receive guests. “The tent,” Ozhabes said, “is a place of peace and friendship.” Religious leaders from White Plains and Mayor Tom Roach were present. Roach spoke briefly about the importance of celebrating the diversity in communities.
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
Erdogan’s options: to propose and sponsor amendments at the US parliament or to provide evidence against Gulen
Kimse Yok Mu lends helping hand to 1,650 Somali families during Ramadan
The Middle East and Turkish civil Islam’s transformative influence on Islamism
Erdogan’s crackdown – Woman detained while showing newborn baby to jailed husband
Gulen: Oppression will end as politicians will leave office one day but this movement will continue to exist
ESİDEF: Targets doubled despite intimidation
Erdoğan’s requests to shut down Turkish schools abroad perceived as patronizing
