Germany’s dialogue awards find their recipients


Date posted: December 5, 2013

Alliance of German Dialogue Institutions (BDDI) recently bestowed the nation’s very first intercultural and interfaith dialogue awards. At the award ceremony, Meinhard Tenne received Life’s Work Award; Intercultural Council (Interkultureller Rat in Deutschland e.V.), Social Engagement; Prof. Karl Josef Kuschel, Interfaith Dialogue; Feridun Zaimoglu, Literature; and Corneila Pieper, Politics.

Comprised of 14 Germany-based dialogue institutions inspired by Fethullah Gulen’s teachings, BDDI blazed a trail in Germany by honoring individuals and institutions who have contributed to dialogue.

The award ceremony emceed by the German Hessen TV (HR) anchor and journalist, Meinhard Schmidt-Degenhard, was held at AXICA Convention Center neighboring the historic Brandenburg Gate.

Cebrail Terlemez, president of Intercultural Dialogue Forum (Forum für interkulturellen Dialog BDDI), said, “Our Honorary President Fethullah Gulen holds that global peace is only possible when diversity among people is recognized as a valuable aspect of humanity and cherished. We’ve founded BDDI as an umbrella for 14 institutions inspired by Gulen’s understanding of dialogue. We as BDDI take on responsibility for today and tomorrows by acting socially responsible in our projects. Our engagement is referred to as “Hizmet” in Turkish.”

German Undersecretary at the Foreign Office, Cornelia Pieper, was bestowed Politics Award for her efforts towards Christians, Muslims and other faith members. As undersecretary, Pieper earlier attended iftar dinners with diverse faith members and exemplified Germany’s global vision and tolerance, through her initiatives.

“People trust Germany, which, I believe, is a result of our contribution to intercultural dialogue. Culture means to extend bridges between peoples. It is to be tolerant and to recognize faiths. These are crucial to building bridges and eliminating biases,” Pieper remarked. She additionally put an accent on welcoming people of opposing views.

“We should stand side by side rather than opposing each other. Where someone is from or who s/he is doesn’t matter, but to get to know each other does,” Life’s Work Award honoree, Meinhard Tenne, 90, said.

Karl Josef Kuschel, professor of intercultural and interfaith dialogue at Tubingen University, who defines dialogue as a life style, expressed his enthusiasm for exploring “the different.” “Abraham is an honor to me. The three religions find the common ground around Abraham and share his hospitality still alive. The three religion’s members need to get to know each other. We cannot fully comprehend a religion without knowing the Qur’an, Bible and Torah. It is important for Muslims to center on dialogue as it exists by nature in Islam,” Kuschel added.

The author and painter Feridun Zaimoglu, the recipient of Literature Award, who moved in Germany at the age of four, identified himself as a German author, in his address. He is currently living in Kiel, where he first discovered his enthusiasm for literature and arts.

The founder of Intercultural Council, Dr. Jurgen Micksch received the Social Engagement Award on behalf of the institution which is highly acclaimed for its intercultural efforts.

“We aim to foster intercultural dialogue in an effort to enhance coexistence in society by holding conferences, seminars and roundtables,” Micksch said.

BDDI is comprised of 14 dialogue institutions across the nation, namely, Forum für interkulturellen Dialog (FİD e.V), Interkultureller Dialog e. V (iKult e.V.), Forum für interkulturellen Dialog Berlin (FİD Berlin e.V.), Begegnung e. V., Interkulturelles Diyalogzentrum (İdizem e.V.), Ruhrdialog e. V, İdiz e.V., Hanseforum e.V., Akademischer Dialog Kreis e.V., Rumiforum e.V., Suddialog e.V., Akademie für Interkulturellen Dialog (Akdia e.V.), AİD e.V., ve Niedersächsisches Zentrum für Begegnung und Zusammenarbeit (NiBez e.V).

The umbrella organization maintains “Germany is changing and home to peoples of diverse ethnicities, cultures and faiths. And this diversity offers a unique opportunity to live in peace.” BDDI also hit the social media with its awards ceremony. The event went viral via the hashtag #ddp2013 and earned a place among trending topics.

Excerpted from the article published [in Turkish] on Zaman Germany, November 22, 2013.

Source: HizmetMovement.Com , December 5, 2013


Related News

The Gülen Movement and Turkish Soft Power*

The Gülen approach to education aptly demonstrates the group’s global strategy—Gülen movement schools are open to both Turkish migrants and citizens of host countries, and they avoid advancing a religious agenda. These schools aim to help Turkish migrants succeed in their host societies without losing sight of their Turkish roots, and at the same time they promote social unity by serving the needs of migrants and local students alike. The success of Gülen movement schools stems both from the success of the students (and the satisfaction of the parents) and from the prestige and goodwill they enjoy among local and political authorities for promoting integration and acting as a social mediator.

Turkish scholar Fethullah Gulen awarded in South Korea

In a moment of respect and hope, Fethullah Gülen received the prestigious Manhae Peace Prize. Journalists and Writers Foundation President Mustafa Yesil accepted the award on behalf of Gülen, who was not able to attend the ceremony due to health problems. Yesil, who delivered a speech at the event, spoke highly of Gülen and his […]

Corruption, Stigmatization, and Innocence

Unfortunately, the Hizmet Movement as one of the leading civilian movements contributing to intercultural dialogue and peace in the world has been labeled as one of the players to destabilize Turkey by the pro-government press too.

Gülen conference in London

HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE Though the national agenda is stuck in debates over terrorism and a cross-border operation, I’d like to open a parenthesis and touch upon a historic conference held last week in London. Forty-nine scholars from various universities around the world addressed an audience during this three-day international academic conference, which kicked off at the […]

The more we learn, the more we are the same

During my stay in Turkey, I met with many business leaders and academics that provide funding for schools and universities based on this philosophy. As one businessman told me, “Educated people can understand each other.”

Rep. Andy Fleischmann named ” Statesman of the year” by Peace Advocacy Group

State Representative Andy Fleischmann (D-West Hartford) was proud to receive the “Statesman of the Year Award” for his contributions to education and environmental causes at the 5th Annual Friendship Dinner and Awards Ceremonies held in Hartford on March 26th.

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

Karaca’s lawyers to ask Constitutional Court to reverse detention order

Didier Reynders welcomes a delegation of young artist of the International Festival “Colors of the World” in the Egmont Palace

Ramadan Fast Highlights Shared Religious Practices

Erdoğan’s Religious Guide Approved Torture And Abuse In Turkey

GYV gathers politicians, diplomats at iftar dinner in Turkish capital

Fethullah Gulen’s Message of Condemnation and Condolences for St. Petersburg Terrorist Attack

Gülen’s lawyer: Systemic, illegal wiretaps taking place in Turkey over last six months

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News