On Thursday, July 18, 2013, the Turkic American Alliance hosted a Ramadan dinner for U.S Congress in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building. Distinguished attendees included U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), U.S. Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL), former U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), congressional advisors, Members of Parliament from Azerbaijan, members of the media, Duke University Alumni, and many members of Turkic community.
Senator Lugar later addressed the guests, discussing the virtues of Ramadan and humanitarian issues such as food security and nutrition. Senator Lugar described Ramadan as a spiritual month that brings families closer together. He also discussed the issues of food security and nutrition that afflict far too many of our fellow human beings. At the conclusion of his speech, Senator Lugar was presented with the Turkic American Alliance Public Service Award in recognition of his great service to the community in general.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee also addressed the guests, venerating Ramadan as special month that inspires extraordinary acts of faith, goodwill, and community.
The President of the Turkic American Alliance, Dr. Faruk Taban, expressed his best wishes for TAA’s first Iftar dinner on Capitol Hill. He fondly described the warm spirit that fills the month of Ramadan as a distinctive opportunity to renew our relationships with others, with ourselves, and with our Creator. This spirit also encourages temperance and tolerance, brotherhood and camaraderie, and powerful bonds of love, unity, and friendship.
The guests also echoed these sentiments, praising Ramadan as a unique time that imparts an atmosphere of spiritual union and benevolence.
