Rumi Forum bestows Peace and Dialogue Awards

Ali H. Aslan

The Rumi Forum, a think tank established by Turks living in Washington, D.C., to foster intercultural dialogue, has presented its traditional Peace and Dialogue Awards.

The 2010 Rumi Peace and Dialogue Awards ceremony was held on Tuesday at the National Press Club's Ballroom in Washington, D.C. The think thank gave awards to extraordinary individuals and organizations who have contributed much of their time, energy, leadership and dedication to the causes of dialogue, understanding, peace and community service.

Kimse Yok Mu to distribute meat in 44 countries

Today's Zaman

A leading Turkish charity has organized an extensive campaign to deliver red meat to people in need in 44 countries around the world.

Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There) is continuing its collection of livestock donations for the approaching religious festival of Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), during which all able Muslims are required to sacrifice an animal to God. The four-day festival will begin on Nov. 16.

The Hanefi Avcı affair: a dramatic detective story (2)

Faruk Mercan

Sarp Kuray, a former naval officer accused of having founded the 16 Haziran (or June 16) terrorist organization, says: “...The people who staged those attacks without my orders are freely walking around outside.

I, on the other hand, was sentenced to life in jail as the only convict…I myself am clueless about how the organization was able to gather so much intelligence.”

The meaning of these words is clear as daylight. Sarp Kuray is implying that control of the 16 Haziran organization was taken out of his hands by secret intelligence units within the state.

The Hanefi Avcı affair: A dramatic detective story (1)

Faruk Mercan

When an incident or a scandal breaks, it is only natural for people to initially experience shock, especially if the protagonist of the event is an unexpected person. This is followed by the process of understanding the other side of the incident in question.

Hanefi Avcı, known to the Turkish public as a patriotic police chief who had adopted religious conservative values, committed to his family and dedicated to fighting terrorism and corruption was the main protagonist of an event that surprised us all.