Turkish-American communities host Thanksgiving events

Turkish-Americans across the US organized various activities to mark Thanksgiving Day over the past week. With the participation of numerous locals, each occasion brought together peoples of diverse cultures and faiths around the same table.

On November 23rd, Turkish American Society of Michigan (TASM), in cooperation with Niagara Foundation and Balkan American Cultural Center, held an early Thanksgiving lunch, which featured a lucky draw for its guests as well. German Consul in Detroit, Frederick Hoffman; Lawrence Technological University’s president, Viringer K. Moudgil; the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Rochester College, John Barton attended the lunch and offered their remarks all of which accentuated the contributions of gatherings of similar nature to societal harmony.

Another such event was held by Turkish-American Society of Wheaton, Illinois, hosting the city’s prominent religious leaders, academics along with members of various ethnicities. In addition to the traditional content, the attendees were also introduced to activities of the local Turkish-Americans enriching the community.

Similarly, Bay Area Cultural Connections in Berkeley, California, marked the day with a dinner in advance, on November 23rd. The common message expressed throughout the night was that people need to appreciate and cherish what they have while sparing no effort for a cure to the world’s long-time troubles such as famine, wars and epidemics. The problems we are faced with in our lives might be in fact minor hardships on macro level. We therefore should empathize and give a hand to those paralyzed with greater ones, the attendees concluded in unanimity.

Compiled from articles published [in Turkish] on Zaman Amerika