Gülen Institute awards essay winner students on Capitol Hill

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ileana Ros-Lehtinen stands with the winners of the int’l essay contest. (Photo: Today's Zaman)
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ileana Ros-Lehtinen stands with the winners of the int’l essay contest. (Photo: Today's Zaman)


Date posted: June 1, 2012

31 May 2012 / ALI H. ASLAN, WASHINGTON

Houston University’s Gülen Institute bestowed awards on 35 young people from 65 countries and 45 US states for their winning essays on how to address crimes against children around the world on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Nearly 1,300 compositions had been entered into the Gülen Institute’s international essay competition. The award ceremony was held at the House of Representatives’ Rayburn House Office Building.

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and lawmakers Gene Greene and Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Tom Petri of Wisconsin attended the ceremony.

Calling Turkey and the United States “unwavering allies,” Ros-Lehtinen said “Our two countries have been steadfast allies for the past six decades and continue to cooperate closely on so many of the challenges that we are facing today.”

She continued to speak of Turkey’s actions in Syria and Afghanistan with praise and added that “generations of Turkish immigrants have come to the United States, enhancing our society with their talents and their skills.”

The first place $3,000 prize went to Alexander Kamberov from Bulgaria for his essay on child soldiers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ruby Guo from the United States took second place for her work on child workers. Jae Woo Jang from the Philippines, who addressed the issue of human trafficking, won third place.

Members of Congress David Dreier of California, Joe Heck of Nevada and Greg Walden of Oregon awarded the students with certificates of recognition from Congress and congratulated them on behalf of their constituencies.

Gülen Institute Youth Platform Head Dr. Tom Gage, University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work Dean Dr. İra Colby and think tank Rethink Institute President Dr. Fevzi Bilgin also attended the ceremony.

The 35 young winners were also awarded a five-day trip to Washington and New York. Gülen Institute Executive Director Ali Rıza Çandır said of the trip: “The young people will not just visit these cities as tourists. They will learn about different cultures as they dialogue with other young people from different countries.”

James W. McJunkin, deputy director of the FBI’s Washington office, discussed the methods of fighting crimes against children with the contestants. The contestants visited the Turkic American Alliance (TAA), a leading Turkish-American umbrella organization, and the United Nations office in New York.

Source: Today’s Zaman http://www.todayszaman.com/news-282059-gulen-institute-awards-student-essay-winners-on-capitol-hill.html


Related News

Being a Non-Muslim During Ramadan

The end of July marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan and fasting for Muslims across the globe. As we reflect on the closing of this sacred time, it is important to think about the role we play during this time, especially for non-Muslims. I have been raised Christian, and to say that Christians observe anything similar to Ramadan would be a stretch.

Open Letter to the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

While known as a devoted organization to aim providing insights, affirmations, and appreciation of Muslims in North America, which would hopefully replace prejudicial, arrogant, dialectical confrontation towards the Muslims in North America, with mutual respect and dialogical encounter, it is so sad to see ISNA supporting an initiative to demonize another Muslim society which aims to promote Islam and mutual understanding and tolerance between cultures all over the world.

Boston Globe: Fethullah Gulen, a US resident wanted by Turkey, must be protected

Why was the White House even talking about Gulen, who has been living peacefully, and legally, in Pennsylvania?

Report reveals closure of prep schools against Constitution

A recently released report by a think tank based in İstanbul has revealed that the controversial law shutting down Turkey’s private prep schools or “dershanes” includes clauses that violate the Turkish Constitution.

Pioneer Academy of Science to Move to a New Campus

The Turkish school Pioneer Academy of Science operating in Clifton, New Jersey for years is going to move into its new building in September, 2013. The school administration, in search for a new building for a long time, have announced the decision to move into a larger complex located in Wayne township of New Jersey.

4th International Panel for Sharing Coexistence Experience in Korea

The 4th International Panel for Sharing Coexistence Experience, which brought together the representatives of the religions in South Korea and the religious groups from Turkey and the United States, and the round-table meeting, titled “Combating Religious Extremism at the Public Level,” hosted by Seoul National University, were held in South Korea.

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

Veteran out of social security coverage after being dismissed in post-coup purge

Turkey’s post-coup purges shake higher education

Father says wife, 11-month-old son under arrest despite medical problems

New Constitution expected to eradicate remnants of Feb. 28 coup

Laughter-guaranteed terrorist organization indictment

Erdogan regime’s defamation of Hizmet at full throttle – UK-based academic denies recent allegations

Niagara Foundation Michigan bestows 2013 Peace and Dialogue Awards

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News