THE LOVE AND PEACE RAMADAN DINNER OF THE MARMARA GROUP FOUNDATION
THE LOVE AND PEACE RAMADAN DINNER OF THE MARMARA GROUP FOUNDATION
World religious leaders and several guests joined together for the 13th Love and Peace Ramadan Dinner given by the Marmara Group Foundation every year. The Ramadan dinner was held at the Lütfü Kırdar Conversation and Exhibition Center.
The President of Religious Affairs of Turkey Ali Bardakoğlu, participated together with the Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbaş, the former Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources Dr. Hilmi Güler, the President of the Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation Dr. Akkan Suver, Turkey’s Chief Jewish Rabbi Izak Haleva, Acting Patriarch of the Turkish Assyrian Community Yusuf Çetin, the Director of Topkapı Palace Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, Chairman of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) Başaran Ulusoy and several distinguished guests.
Mr. Bardakoğlu delivered a speech stating “It is impossible to live in this world due to the greediness of both countries and people themselves. In the 21st century people need love and respect from one another. Peace depends on love. Compassion can create love; however I am not referring to self love; I mean neighborly love. If you only love yourself, egotism will rise, which will cause an increase in fights, anger and tension.” Bardakoğlu also stated, “God is the biggest love and all love is a reflection of God’s love.”
Dr. Suver addressed all participants stating that religious values are disappearing because of the increase of materialism and secular movement. He also agreed with Mr. Bardakoğlu that it is very difficult to live in a world that is full of greedy countries and people. Rabbi Izak Haleva also delivered a speech at the Ramadan dinner saying “Love, peace and friendship lies in the roots of Anatolia.
Mercy’s Call
Bardakoğlu said that religion is more important than ever for humans and communities and it has to be preserved.
Bardakoğlu explained every person is born with religion and that religion exists inside everyone. This is because religion came from the first existing humans. Bardakoğlu continued his speech by saying that religion didn’t disappear in the 21st century. Goods and property can be an opportunity for us to share with each other, but instead, we hide under our goods and property because of our greed. We should be the ones to manage our assets, but unfortunately, our assets managed us. In brief, people were created to walk the earth, share in society, live with each other, but instead, people live in isolation, hiding themselves from the world. This is a result of not seeing on another, not loving one another, not sharing anything with one another. If we suffer in this world by the hands of humans, these are not punishments from God. If we listen to the mercy call of religions, mercy will improve within people.
Mayor Kadir Topbaş articulated that Ramadan is valuable because gets all different types people together. He contined by stating that Istanbul has been a city of diversity, cultural richness and peace for ages.
After Being Sick for 1.5 years, Morovitch Attended Ramadan Dinner in Turkey
Even with the difficulties of a wheelchair and doctor,
After having a close brush with death 1.5 years ago, the former Monsignor of the Vatican George Morovitch attended the Ramadan dinner. Morovitch said that the train accident was not a conspiracy but was an accident. Even though when it happened, I couldn’t remember any of the details, now I am beginning to remember them. He claimed that this Ramadan dinner that was put together with peace and synergy is a message for the whole world.