Zaman Weekly awarded at TCC dinner in NYC

Sezai Kalaycı

Zaman Weekly, a publication which was recently launched in the US by the same media group as Today’s Zaman, was presented with an award at the 4th Traditional Friendship Dinner hosted by the Turkish Cultural Center (TCC) and the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations in New York on Thursday.

Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı accepted the award, which was presented by the guest of honor, Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin, in recognition of the new English-language publication launched with the objective of improving Turkish-American relations.

Some of New York’s most influential politicians, including Democratic Senators Robert Casey and Kirsten Gillibrand also attended the event at Cipriani, one of New York’s most elegant restaurants.

Turkish Ambassador to the US Namık Tan, Turkey’s permanent representative to the UN Ertuğrul Apakan, Turkish Consul General to New York Mehmet Samsar, several US congressmen and members of the New York State Assembly, representatives of the New York Police Department and the FBI as well as community figures from civil society, businessmen, diplomats, journalists and religious representatives were among the guests. Real estate billionaire Joseph Moinian also attended the TCC dinner.

Steven Cymbrowitz, a member of the New York State Assembly, delivered a speech during the event, sharing his memories of a recent visit to Turkey. He praised Fethullah Gülen, a Muslim scholar who leads a social movement that emphasizes interfaith dialogue, and the many schools, hospitals and cultural centers opened around the world by people inspired by him, saying these facilities served as bridges between different cultures and faiths. He said all the Gülen-inspired institutions that he had seen were striving to live up to and realize Gülen’s ideals. Cymbrowitz also said the schools had made him aware that one did not need to be a Turk to follow such an “amazing person” and dedicate oneself to charity. He also presented a certificate of appreciation to be relayed to Gülen by TCC officers. Cymbrowitz praised Gülen for having sacrificed himself for the good of humanity and world peace.

He also noted that the Gülen movement was referred to as “Hizmet” (The Service) by its followers, and said Gülen’s teachings were about promoting tolerance and mutual respect between different peoples and beliefs. Cymbrowitz said the Gülen movement first opened cultural centers in New York City, later spreading to the entire state and the nation.


Turkish Parliament Speaker
Mehmet Ali Şahin speaks at the TCC dinner

Şahin also gave a speech, emphasizing that Turkey and the US were allies that pursued comprehensive cooperation on critical matters, adding that the two countries were very valuable to one another. He added that cooperation with the US was important not only for bilateral relations but also in global and regional aspects. Şahin also commented on recent developments in North Africa and the Middle East, saying the riots had shown once again the importance of Turkish-US cooperation in the region.

Following the speeches, Şahin presented Dumanlı with the award for Zaman Weekly. Dumanlı thanked the TCC for the event, saying the reward was a motivator for the Zaman group to serve its readers even better. He said Zaman has had a presence in the US for 17 years, adding, “I believe that Zaman Weekly will contribute to stronger ties between the two countries.”

Published on Today's Zaman, 26 March 2011, Saturday