Rumi Forum bestows Peace and Dialogue awards 2013

The Rumi Forum, an international organization promoting interfaith dialogue and peace, honored its 2013 RUMI Peace and Dialogue Award recipients on Thursday evening in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Cihan, İhsan Denli)
The Rumi Forum, an international organization promoting interfaith dialogue and peace, honored its 2013 RUMI Peace and Dialogue Award recipients on Thursday evening in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Cihan, İhsan Denli)


Date posted: October 25, 2013

The Rumi Forum, an international organization promoting interfaith dialogue and peace, honored its 2013 RUMI Peace and Dialogue Award recipients on Thursday evening at the National Press Club Ballroom in Washington, D.C.

In attendance at the seventh of the Rumi Forum’s annual Peace and Dialogue Awards ceremonies were academics from 15 different countries and representatives of civil society organizations.

Three awards in three different categories were presented to the honorees. Jose Andres, a chef who was listed among the most influential 100 in the world, mostly known for designing methods of cooking to end hunger in underdeveloped countries, received the Extraordinary Commitment to Public Service Award. Annette Lantos, the chairwoman of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice was given the Extraordinary Commitment to Peace Award. Lastly, deemed one of the world’s most significant intellectuals and an Albert Schweitzer professor in the Humanities and the Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York, Ali Mazrui was honored with the Extraordinary Commitment to Educational Service Award.

Recalling that the Rumi Forum, which was founded in 1999 with the mission to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue, stimulates thinking and exchange of opinions on supporting and fostering democracy and peace all over the world, forum President Emre Çelik stated that it further aimed to provide a common platform for education and the exchange of information. Çelik, seeing education and dialogue as the only means to overcome ignorance added: “The Rumi Forum’s honorary president, Fethullah Gülen, motivates institutions established with similar purposes about adopting common values like respect for human rights and democracy.”

Delivering the opening speech at the organization, Angela Greiling Keane stated that her organization had many missions, most of which are in line with ideas Mevlana, the founder of a Sufi school of spiritual thought, supported. Keane, focusing on the fact that they placed much importance on freedom of speech, said they had carried out studies worldwide on this crucial matter. Spreading of dialogue and tolerance is what they try to achieve, she added.

South African Ambassador in Washington Ebrahim Rasool said after he read “Masnavi,” written by Sofi Saint Mevlana, his admiration towards Mevlana grew as he thought the book was a remarkable work. Resul added that the Rumi Forum was a part of the Hizmet movement, known for its cultural and educational activities around the world.

The Rumi Forum’s annual awards honor individuals who work towards promoting education, bringing interfaith groups together in understanding and dialogue and promoting cultural understanding and inclusion.

Source: Today's Zaman , October 25, 2013


Related News

First-Ever Comprehensive Biography on Fethullah Gülen

In the first-ever comprehensive biography, Fethullah Gülen: A Life of Hizmet – Why A Muslim Scholar in Pennsylvania Matters to the World, author Jon Pahl gains unprecedented access to Fethullah Gulen’s inner circle as well as to Gülen himself.

Inspector candidate labeled ‘red’ by ministry confirms profiling reports

A candidate inspector for the Ministry of Finance who learned from recent media reports that he had been profiled by the ministry on the basis of his family background has confirmed that the information disclosed by the media matches his personal information.

Turkish schools get award for advanced study in Benin, Mongolia

“The Turkish school is the sole contributor that makes Benin’s reputation high via its students, who are successful in international [educational] Olympiads,” the president said in a written statement.

Gulen Institute awards student essay winners in Washington

The University of Houston’s Gulen Institute on Wednesday bestowed awards on 30 young people for their winning essays on the subject of immigration and evacuation, in Washington, D.C. Nearly 600 compositions written by students from 40 countries and 30 US states had been entered into the Gulen Institute’s international essay competition. The awards ceremony was […]

Rumi Fellowship Program 2016

Rumi Forum is inviting eligible individuals on a study fellowship that incorporates trips to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand and Cambodia with the mission of exploring social, economic, cultural, security and political issues in these countries and their wider regions in 2016.

Talking with the “Religious Terrorist” that Turkey Wants Trump to Extradite

Regardless of the threat Gulen poses as the purported leader of an international apparatus, any movement is a threat in that it is not easily controlled. If Gulen is right, and Erdogan fears anything that he cannot control, then the Gulen movement with its critical stance towards what it regards as abuses of the public trust, must seem threatening indeed.

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

Haylamaz: Real Islam should be sought by looking at the Prophet Muhammad’s life

Local priests participate in landmark interfaith trip to Turkey

Fethullah Gulen: I am not hiding and not on the run

Turkish court jails 17 housewives over alleged coup involvement

Ramadan Tent Dinner brings a flavor of the East to Bethlehem

CHP deputy asks PM to stop arrest of women after giving birth

Fears for Gulen-inspired Turkish schools in Pakistan grow

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News