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

A Rare Meeting With Reclusive Turkish Spiritual Leader Fethullah Gulen

In an exclusive interview, Fethullah Gulen speaks on anti-Semitism, his particular brand of Islam, and why he’s been in hiding for 14 years. The reclusive spiritualist keeps to his home in the Poconos, attended by believers, praying, lecturing, and claiming his influence is not as wide-ranging as his critics claim it to be. He is sickly and doesn’t travel, yet secular Turks worry his influence in political ranks will grow Islamist influence there.

Hong Kong Anatolia Cultural & Dialogue Centre, Photography Competition 2015

Harmony of Hong Kong in Your Frame Photo Contest is open to ALL photographers at least 18 years of age, except members and staff of Anatolia Cultural & Dialogue Centre and their immediate families. The contest is open to all Hong Kong residents regardless of citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation.

Gülen’s speech broadcast live for first time after website banned

A speech by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who lives in Pennsylvania in self-imposed exile, was broadcast live on YouTube and a number of stations for the first time on Sunday, after Turkey’s state-controlled Internet watchdog blocked access to herkul.org, a website that previously was used to broadcast his speeches.

Expert’s opinion: Turkey’s Demanding Extradition Of Fethullah Gülen Is Frivolous Grandstanding

Although ordinarily I respect his cool-headedness and self-control, in hindsight I wish President Obama had been equally blunt in responding to President Erdoğan’s demands that the US extradite Fethullah Gülen. All of his demands, beginning in 2014 and vigorously renewed in the wake of the July 15 attempted coup, have been completely illegitimate and unfair.

Turkish Cultural Center Holds Annual Friendship Dinner

The Turkish Cultural Center Queens held its 12th annual friendship dinner and award ceremony at Flushing Town Hall last week. In the words of Turkish Cultural Center representatives, the dinner and awards ceremony brings together community leaders, elected officials, non-governmental organizations, clergy, academicians and others “to foster mutual understanding, respect and love.”

Well-known sociologist says Gülen’s name on terrorist list ’alarming’

The chairman of the philosophy department at Texas Tech University, prominent sociologist Mark Webb, has said that the branding of Fethullah Gülen as a terrorist, is a “very alarming development.”

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

Fethullah Gülen’s Message of Condolences for the El Paso and Dayton Attacks

Hot meals for 3 million Syrians from Kimse Yok Mu

This is beyond a witch-hunt – Turkey now blames Gülen movement for 9/11 attacks

US-based Turkish cleric denies involvement in coup plot

Nearly 500 police officials reassigned in Ankara, İzmir

Saylorsburg cleric sends statement to Muslim-Catholic conference

‘Erdoğan has replaced 1980 coup generals’

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News