Marti-Rockville Holds Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner

“The mother of all values is tolerance.” So said former US ambassador to Iraq and Yemen. At MARTI-Rockville’s Annual Iftar Dinner, Ambassador Newton recounted his time at Radio Free Iraq. Tolerance, he often told his staff, was the key value that we need to promote. He would bring together leaders from different tribes and different nationalities to speak together for a radio program.  “Mevlana Jelaladdin Rumi is a great example of this [promoting tolerance], and he lived in a time when the world wasn’t know for tolerance.” County Executive Ike Leggett noted that Montgomery County is unique in its great diversity with students in our school district speaking 150 languages and coming from “literally all over the world”. He spoke about New Hampshire Avenue as “the houses of worship row”, and stated that diversity is strength for us, but also a challenge.  “What is happening in New York is a test for the American people. I am hopeful that we will see that our founding fathers were correct.”  John Patrick McDonough, Maryland’s Secretary of State, brought his greetings from Governor Martin O’Malley. “The legislative reception in Annapolis was a tremendous introduction to the Turkish community in the State of Maryland. We look forward to a long and cooperative relationship.” Peter Kovach, from the U.S. State Department encouraged Muslims living in the United States to engage and continue dialogue with all Americans, including those who might not necessarily be friendly towards Muslims. “I’m talking about those who are beating up on Islam; we need to engage in dialogue with those that are not necessarily friends. With the wisdom of the Gülen Movement, you have every tool in the arsenal for successful dialogue.” The evening of friendship and good food was capped off with a water marbling demonstration, a traditional Turkish art form known as Ebru. Guests included Montgomery County residents, Laura Berthiaume from the Montgomery County Board of Education and Rumi Forum president Emre Celik.  An iftar dinner marks the end of the fasting day. During the lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world fast from dawn until sunset. MARTI-Rockville hosts iftar dinners to promote dialogue and friendship in the community. MARTI-Rockville held a similar event on August 12 with several distinguished guests including Jane Gaffney, retired from the U.S. State Department, Indrani Mitra, professor from Mount St. Mary University, Jean Pierre LeBouder, former prime minister of the Central Republic of Africa, Judy Docca and Shirley Brandman, both from the Montgomery County Board of Education, Tom Manger, Montgomery County Chief of Police, and Mongomery County Councilmember George Leventhal. Maryland Turkish-American Inhabitants (MARTI), a non-profit organization established in December 2003, is dedicated to addressing the social and cultural needs of Turkish-American people living in or around Maryland, as well as promoting intercultural dialogue and friendship through educational and cultural activities.   MARTI has been serving the local community by organizing a variety of activities including field trips, picnics, banquets, social gatherings, art & crafts exhibitions, and language and tutoring classes. We also conduct trips to Turkey for not only visiting historical and touristic places but also for providing a real-life experience and feeling of Turkish people and culture.