In the month of October, the New York chapter of the Turkish Cultural Center organized a series of Annual Friendship Dinners in the cities of Syracuse, Westchester and Buffalo. The purpose of the dinners was to celebrate and promote diversity in the community and to honor local leaders for their outstanding commitment to peace and service.
Westchester, NY
On October 22nd, 2014, The Turkish Cultural Center in Westchester (TCCW) hosted its 7th Annual Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown, Westchester. Over 150 guests attended, including community leaders, elected officials, academics, non-governmental organizations and community leaders.
Emre Celik, President of the Rumi forum, delivered an opening speech on the the Hizmet movement and its contributions towards building a peaceful world. Distinguished guests included U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel (NY); Kevin Plunkett, Deputy County Executive of Westchester County; NY state Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; NY Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer; NY Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick; NY Assemblywoman Amy Paulin; NY Assemblyman Thomas J. Abinanti; and former NY state Senator Suzi Oppenheimer.
Later in the evening, Dr. Christopher Clouet, Superintendent at Tarrytown District, received the ‘Friendship Award’ for his dedication and contributions in maintaining strong ties with the Turkish community. Westchester County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz was awarded the ‘Leadership Award’ for his outstanding leadership in Westchester County. Ken Mchale and Barbara Block accepted the ‘Peace and Dialogue Award’ on behalf of the Interfaith Connection of Westchester. The awardees were also all presented with proclamations from each of the state Senators and Assembly Members in attendance, congratulating them on the their service to the community.
Buffalo, NY
On October 23rd, 2014, The Peace Islands Institute (PII) and the Turkish Cultural Center (TCC) hosted their 6th Annual Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony at the University of Buffalo’s Center for the Arts. This year’s theme, titled “Peacebuilding through Education, Media and Social Service”, attracted over 100 guests, including guest speaker Satish Tripathi, President of University at Buffalo (UB). In his opening speech, Dr. Tripathi discussed the value of promoting ethnicity in education and the benefits that stem from maintaining a diverse community. UB is ranked in as one of top 20 campuses among U.S. Public Universities for its high international student population.
Among the distinguished guests were U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins; Hon. William J. Hochul, Jr., U.S. Attorney of the Western District of New York; Steven Lanser, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Buffalo; Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Executive; Hakan Yesilova, Editor in Chief of Fountain Magazine; Murat Kaval, CEO at Peace Islands Institute; and Bulent Ozdemir, representative at Peace Islands Institute; Dr. Patricia Brown, Vice President of Outreach at Daemen College; Rasheed Wyatt, University District Common Council Member; Dr. Heon Kim, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania; Dr. Tevfik Kosar, Associate Professor at University at Buffalo; Mahir Zeynalov, Journalist at Today’s Zaman. Dr. Satish Tripathi was awarded the ‘Education Award’ and Mark Poloncarz received the ‘Service Award’.
Syracuse, NY
On October 28th, 2014, The Turkish Cultural Center in Syracuse (TCCS) hosted its 9th Annual Friendship Dinner at Syracuse University’s Goldstein Auditorium. This year’s theme was “Embracing the World through Education and Service”. Over 150 people attended the event, including government officials, academics, NGO representatives and religious and community leaders.
The opening speech was delivered by Timur Saka, President of the Turkish Cultural Center in Syracuse and Havva Karakas Keles, Assistant Director of the Moynihan European Research Centers at the Maxwell School. The keynote speech was given by Dr. Ori Soltes, Professor of Theology, Philosophy and Arts History at Georgetown University, who highlighted the value created by the Hizmet Movement in the global community through education and service.
Among the distinguished guests was U.S. Congressman Dan Maffei (NY) who described the Turkish Cultural Centers as “dedicated to the syracuse community and not just one ethnic group”. In addition, Frank L. Fowler, Chief of Police of the Syracuse Police Department hailed the Peace Islands and Turkish Cultural Centers as “always [being]part of the solution” in the community. Beth Broadway, Executive Director of Interfaith Works, shared her thoughts on the dinner as a time to “remember humanity,” while Dr. Martha Garcia Murillo, Professor of Information Studies at Syracuse University, called for the “need for different cultures, voices and colors” within communities and further stressed that the “world cannot survive without diversity”.
