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(Plainfield, IN 6/30/15) On June 21, 2015, the Islamic Society of North America’s (ISNA) Office of Interfaith & Community Alliances National Director Dr. Sayyid Syeed attended an iftar held at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. The event was organized by Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kilic.
“News of a fair and clean election from Turkey provides us an opportunity to celebrate,” said Dr. Syeed as he addressed the audience. “This is the victory of a democracy in Turkey that has provided a model of stability and prosperity in a volatile region.”
Dr. Syeed recounted a brief conversation he had with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan a few years ago where he discussed positive platform Iftar events in America provide for outreach to the White House, federal departments and governor and mayor offices.
Taking Dr. Syeed’s advice, President Erdogan hosted various leaders Christian and Jewish denominations for an interfaith iftar event in Turkey. The iftar event provided a platform for bridge building with other faith communities. During the event, President Erdogan announced the releasing of 135 church properties, schools, and places of worship belonging to various churches that had been confiscated in 1924, after WWI and the fall of the caliphate. Dr. Syeed said this historical announcement and iftar event was hailed all over the world. It was also welcomed by ISNA, as it showed the President’s commitment in respecting other faiths and the treatment of minorities in Turkey.
Dr. Syeed invited President Erdogan to ISNA’S 52nd annual convention as a keynote speaker to discuss the statement of releasing another 100 church properties in Turkey. The evening ended with Turkish officials announcing they will create an interfaith office/facility within the brand new Turkish Center to help keep and build the relationship with our partners of different faiths.
“News of a fair and clean election from Turkey provides us an opportunity to celebrate,” said Dr. Syeed as he addressed the audience. “This is the victory of a democracy in Turkey that has provided a model of stability and prosperity in a volatile region.”
Dr. Syeed recounted a brief conversation he had with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan a few years ago where he discussed positive platform Iftar events in America provide for outreach to the White House, federal departments and governor and mayor offices.
Taking Dr. Syeed’s advice, President Erdogan hosted various leaders Christian and Jewish denominations for an interfaith iftar event in Turkey. The iftar event provided a platform for bridge building with other faith communities. During the event, President Erdogan announced the releasing of 135 church properties, schools, and places of worship belonging to various churches that had been confiscated in 1924, after WWI and the fall of the caliphate. Dr. Syeed said this historical announcement and iftar event was hailed all over the world. It was also welcomed by ISNA, as it showed the President’s commitment in respecting other faiths and the treatment of minorities in Turkey.
Dr. Syeed invited President Erdogan to ISNA’S 52nd annual convention as a keynote speaker to discuss the statement of releasing another 100 church properties in Turkey. The evening ended with Turkish officials announcing they will create an interfaith office/facility within the brand new Turkish Center to help keep and build the relationship with our partners of different faiths.
