Turkic American Alliance’s iftar brought diplomats together in Washington DC


Date posted: August 6, 2013

The Turkic American Alliance (TAA), which is an umbrella organization with more than 200 member organizations, and its component organization Rumi Forum came together to host a Ramadan Iftar for many dignitaries in the Washington, D.C. area on Tuesday, July 30th.

The night quickly took momentum as the guests arrived and checked in. Once the head count was set, the evening program started with a brief welcome speech from TAA’s President, Faruk Taban, Ph.D. The speech was quickly followed by introductory videos of TAA and Rumi Forum.

As time drew near to break fast, Ibrahim Tanis, a young TAA intern, recited the call to prayer, also known as the adhan.

There was a wide array of guests present. Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Senegal, Cameroon, Benin, Burkina-Faso, and Albania, Congress members Keith Ellison (MN) and Mike Honda(CA), former senator Norm Coleman (MN), Director of Voice of America David Ensor, journalists, leaders of the Turkic community and organizations, and members of the press were all present.

The theme of this night was interfaith dialogue and the importance of community. Two keynote speakers were Representative Keith Ellison (MN) and US State Department’s Peter Kovach. Rep. Ellison gave an inspirational speech emphasizing the essence of Ramadan and friendship. Following Rep. Ellison’s speech, U.S. State Department Director of Office of International Religious Freedom, Peter Kovach also delivered remarks and shared his thoughts of the holy month.

The surprise entertainment of the night was Dan Nainan, a stand up comedian who offered “one hundred percent clean comedy.”

The evening wrapped up nicely as the guests enjoyed their homemade Turkish cuisines and socialized amongst themselves. In the end, the guests were invited to take a big family picture in front of the flags of the Turkic countries represented here at TAA.

Source: Turkic American Alliance , July 30, 2013

Tags: | | |


Related News

Turkey’s Gulen Demand – The U.S. shouldn’t extradite the exiled Turk without better evidence

Turkey is demanding that the U.S. extradite Fethullah Gulen whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating this month’s failed military coup. “The evidence is crystal clear,” PM Yildirim told the Journal Tuesday, adding that Washington’s request for evidence of Mr. Gulen’s guilt is superfluous “when 265 people have been killed.” If that’s Mr. Yildirim’s standard of proof, Washington should deny the request.

‘Washington has no interest in using Gülen against AKP,’ former US envoy says

The U.S. has no desire to use Fethullah Gülen, who lives in self-imposed exile in America, as a tool against Ankara, said James Holmes, a former U.S. envoy to Ankara. Ties between Ankara and Turkey might be on the frosty side, but Turkey continues to be an important ally for the U.S., according to Holmes.

Rumi Forum Hosts Religious Extremism Debate

“We see a failed state structure, a failed community and these social fragmentations, sectarian lines would make people accept authoritarian hard line fundamentalist interpretations,” said Mustafa Gurbuz, a Rumi Forum speaker and sociologist.

Hundreds celebrate Clifton’s diversity at festival

Yesilova prepared rich Turkish coffee for those who stopped by a table for the Turkish Cultural Center at the festival, which took place at Clifton High School. The event, which featured food and performances from around the world, was part of more than a year-long commemoration of Clifton’s 100th anniversary.

Donate your qurban, bring joy to families in need

USA-based Embrace Relief Organization is organizing an Eid Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) campaign to distribute your “livestock donations” to the needy across the globe. Embrace has been organizing this campaign every year for many year.

Representatives of Abrahamic religions meet in Iftar in Antioch

Antioch Intercultural Dialog Association (AKADIM) and Kimse Yok Mu relief organization brought together representatives of three Abrahamic religions in a fast breaking event in Hatay (Antioch). The representatives gave messages of peace and brotherhood. Mayor Assoc. Prof. Lütfü Savaş noted in his talk that unless someone from outside comes and asks, in Antioch they do not know who is Muslim and who is Christian, “We are all tolerant to each other.

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

Greater Jakarta: Students, parents protest Embassy’s statement

Gulen-linked org’s statement on Turkish Govt’s arrest of pro-Kurdish Parliamentarians

What Is Next In Turkey?

Jews, Muslims Bond Over Shared Values

Turkish schools hold 4th annual Bengali Olympics

Second alleged disappearance in a week: Philosophy teacher goes missing

Turkey may be challenged in ECtHR due to massive crackdown, CoE head warns

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News