On October 9th, SEF organized an Interfaith and Intercultural Iftar
Dinner in the Ohio Statehouse. Sponsored by the twenty six-member
bi-partisan Host Committee composed of the Ohio Senate and House of
Representatives, the event was attended by more than 30 State Senators
and House Representatives, Ohio State Homeland Security, Ohio State
Department of Public Safety, Deans of local-area universities, clergy
and religious leaders, local businessmen and students. It served as a
wonderful opportunity for people from all walks of life to socialize,
establish dialogue and celebrate diversity.
The program started half an hour before sunset, with a reception where
attendees had an opportunity to view displayed works of Hat
(calligraphy) and Ebru (marbling), two essential artworks of
Turkish-Islamic heritage. Right after sunset, the Islamic Call to
Prayer or Adhan, calling Muslims to break their daylong fast was
followed by a short supplication to bless the gathering.
After the Iftar meals were served, Yildirim, director of SEF,
delivered the opening speech. Mr. Yildirim explained the meaning and
significance of fasting in the month of Ramadan, expressing the great
the need for dialogue which he said is not an option or a luxury, but
a necessity. Citing this event as a successful example, he continued
“we can prove that this is a situation of great richness, with
remarkable opportunities for mutual understanding and for creating a
society rooted in common values.” Mr. Yildirim concluded his speech by
a quotation from M. Fethullah Gulen, from whom he and other members of
SEF take inspiration to organize such events promoting love,
compassion, dialogue and respect for others’ rights: “Together,
listening and responding with openness and respect, we can move
forward to work in ways that acknowledge genuine differences but which
are built on shared hopes and values, to attain peace and to help
bring about the long-awaited cooperation of world civilizations, and
to encourage justice, love, respect and altruism.”
Following the opening remarks, Mr. Alp Aslandogan, Vice President of
the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue based in Houston, Texas,
delivered the keynote speech. Reminding the audience that there are
groups of people who benefit from conflicts and continued
misinformation, Mr. Aslandogan brought attention to the importance of
dialogue efforts such as tonight’s meeting which hopefully will give
rise to “islands of peace” in the long run. He told “in today’s Global
Village, misinformation travels faster, so for those who are
interested in true information and peace, it takes more than watching
mainstream media which mostly focus on exceptions. It requires making
contacts, breaking bread, sincerely trying to understand each other,
not buying into the prejudices and biases popularized under the
disguise of pseudo-patriotism.” He called all to continue their
dialogue efforts after the event which he sees as the only way to go
beyond the smoke of misinformation as he quoted Said Nursi, the late
Muslim Scholar from Turkey: “a grain of truth demolishes a castle made
up of imaginations.”
Senator Ray Miller called attention to Corinthians 13: 1 thru 8 from
the Bible, which is also known as the “hymn of love” in which
believers are called to faith, hope and charity. “Charity is most
important among the three. The greatest charity is love; a kind of
love that is not pitiful, but an agape love, which is an expression of
real, altruistic love that is unconcerned with merit or reciprocity.
That is what we need to establish, not only tonight but everyday of
our lives; sustaining and empowering each other through loving one
another,” said Mr. Miller.
Senator Rob Schuler told “breaking bread means a lot to us
legislators. We represent everyone. The more we know about all of
Ohioans, the better we’ll do our job.” Mary Todd, Vice President of
Ohio Dominican University shared with the audience how this event
reminded her that Americans do not know much about religions. “Tonight
was an introduction to that reality, and an invitation to go towards
dialogue and learning about each other.”
The Chicago-based world music group Lamajamal performed Sufi music
with an Anatolian flavor which softened hearts and elevated the mood
of all in attendance.
In the end, President of SEF, Mr. Oguz Kurt received a Proclamation
from the Mayor of Columbus, Mr. Michael B. Coleman, and a Resolution
of Expression from the City Council of Columbus. The Proclamation
while emphasizing Ohio’s diversity, announces that the Statehouse
Intercultural Ramadan Iftar Dinner showcases Islam’s and Muslims’ rich
culture, and heritage. The Resolution of Expression commends Scioto
Educational Foundation, and the Turkish-American Community of Columbus
for organizing “2007 Ohio Statehouse Intercultural Ramadan Iftar
Dinner,” which celebrates the diversity of the State of Ohio.