Atlantic Institute’s Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner in Tennessee


Date posted: December 2, 2013

Atlantic Institute, Tennessee, held its 7th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner at the historic Hermitage Hotel in the state’s capital, Nashville, on November 13th. The dinner saw the attendance of a large number of prominent politicians, academics and NGO representatives and businessmen.

Japan’s Consul General in Nashville, Motohiko Kato; Tennessee Senator Bill Ketron; the president of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Sidney McPhee; and several assembly members were in attendance of the event themed “”The Value of Dialogue in our Changing Society.”

Senator Bill Ketron, in his remarks, offered his reflections on the Atlantic Institute’s dialogue and cultural trip to Turkey he earlier had attended. He highlighted Turkey’s economy and young population in addition to hailing the Turk’s hospitality he had observed throughout the trip. “I recommend that everyone attend these trips that build bridges of friendship between Tennessee and Turkey,” Ketron remarked.

Next, Dr. James Harrington, director of Texas Civil Rights Project, discussed the significance of interfaith and intercultural dialogue and Hizmet Movement’s contribution to global peace and education. Specifically, Harrington spoke highly of the movement’s contributions to educational initiatives in the eastern and southeastern Turkey.

Atlantic Institute’s foreign relations representative, Dr. Elvan Aktas, who first identified himself as a Hizmet Movement member, went on to discuss the significance and rewards of dialogue. Based on his personal experiences, Aktas elaborated on how effective the intercultural and dialogue trips are in eliminating mutual biases between the two communities.

institute also honored the individuals for their contributions in the fields of community service, education, peace, and media. Nashville Police Department Chief Steve Anderson received the community service award; MTSU president Sidney McPhee, education; Tennessee Supreme Court justice Dr. Sharon Lee, peace award; NPT president and CEO Beth Curley, media award.

A Turkish folk string instrument, baglama, performance was given along the dinner.

Published [in Turkish] on Zaman Amerika, November 20, 2013

Source: HizmetMovement.Com , December 2, 2013

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Thunder center Enes Kanter sure looks tiny compared to the world’s tallest man

The two men were at the grand opening Thursday of a new private school, Fulton Science Academy, in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta. Kosen was there to discuss his experiences growing up so different from most people.

‘I see the Hizmet movement as the best expression of Islam’

The Prophet Muhammad said that, it is in the Quran, it says that, we are created in different societies, cultures and backgrounds as a challenge to come together and understand each other and to bring about peace.

Turkish, Arab intellectuals meet around Hira in Cairo

CUMALİ ÖNAL , CARIO Turkey’s first and only Arabic magazine, Hira, whose name refers to the cave where the Prophet Muhammad first received revelations from God, has brought together prominent figures from Egypt and the Arab world. Many academics, journalists, opinion leaders, writers, high-level officials, religious leaders and scientists attended a meeting organized by Hira […]

New Jersey Celebrates Turkic Day

New Jersey recognized prominent Turkic-American institutions based in the state on Thursday, such as the Peace Islands Institute, Embrace Relief Foundation and Pioneer Academy of Science, for their commitment to increase efforts in a wide range of fields, including education, philanthropy, business, medicine, art and science.

‘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.

Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef: What we see in ISIL may be fire, but it is not illumination

American-born Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, 64, the imam of Masjid Waarith ud Deen in Irvington, New Jersey, has said, “What the American Muslims see in the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) may be fire, but it is not illumination.”

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

Gülen warns against adventurism, using force against Kurds

Strategic defamation of Fethullah Gülen: English vs. Turkish

Mr. Gulen is trying to interpret the broad humanistic principles of the Qur’an for the modern world

Gülen: I hope they avoid the adventures of the Union and Progress Party

13 recommendations to MGK secretary for inclusion in ‘Red Book’

Gülen extends condolences to MHP over official’s death

Shocking change and disappointed hearts…

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News