  First Annual Interfaith Dialogue Dinner
November 3, 7:00 pm, Foundry Park Inn, Athens, Georgia
Interfaith Cultural Organization, IFCO, hosted its 1st Annual Interfaith Dialogue Dinner on November the 3rd. The annual dinner serves IFCO's aim of promoting mutual understanding and dialogue between different religions and cultures. This year the event, at which over 110 distinguished guests were present, was held in Foundry Park Inn, Athens. The guests were from diverse ambiences, such as: acclaimed spiritual leaders, academicians and directors from University of Georgia, politicians, representatives of different cultural and ethnic groups, PhD students, journalists and members of the Turkish-American society.
IFCO is a Turkish-Muslim-student initiated organization which was established in 2004. Today it has many members from UGA who have different cultures and faiths. IFCO is trying to serve both the university and the community by several activities. These activities include video lectures, interfaith dialogue dinners, sport tournaments and informative seminars about different religions.
The dinner began with a welcome speech of president of IFCO, highlighting the significance and purpose of interfaith dialogue and focusing on the purpose of IFCO. Throughout the dinner, speakers from diverse backgrounds were invited to talk about their own religions and beliefs.
"In these troubled times, interfaith dialogue may be more difficult but has never been more important" Ilker Kaya, the president of the Interfaith Cultural Organization, said.
The theme of this year's event was 'The Necessity of interfaith Dialogue'. Inspiring and thought provoking speeches were given by the following.
- Mayor Heidi Davison - (Athens Clarke County)
- Dr. Edward Bolen (Senior Pastor - Milledge Avenue Baptist Church)
- Suleyman Eris (Imam - Istanbul Center for Culture and Dialogue)
- Dr. Alan Godlas (Professor of Religion - University of Georgia)
- Dr. Edward Halper (Professor of Philosophy - University of Georgia)
- Dr. Sandy Martin (Professor of Religion and Department Head - University of Georgia)
The first speaker was Heidi Davison, the Mayor of Athens Clarke County. Davison's speech focused on importance of tolerance to each other, inter-religious dialogue and ethics. Mayor Davison also mentioned the Turkish Muslim Sufi poet Mawlana Jalalu'd-din Rumi who is known by his love toward humankind regardless of their race and religion in her speech.
The second speaker was Dr. Edward Bolen, Senior Pastor of Milledge Avenue Baptist Church. Dr. Bolen's speech focused on freedom of thoughts and religion from a Baptist perspective.
The third speaker was Suleyman Eris, the Imam of Istanbul Center for Culture and Dialogue of Atlanta. Mr. Eris focused on tolerance, dialog and love in Islam, giving quotes from Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Islamic scholar.
The fourth speaker was Dr. Alan Godlas, Professor of Religion at UGA. Dr. Godlas talked about inter-religious dialogue and ethics based on Islam, giving verses from Quran. He said that Islam doesn't ignore the other religions and treat them with respect.
The fifth speaker was Dr. Edward Halper, Professor of Philosophy at UGA. Dr. Halper talked about Justice and said that the meaning of justice is actually much deeper than common understanding and presented this dinner as an example for "positive justice".
The sixth speaker was Dr. Sandy Martin, Department Head of Religion department at UGA. Dr. Martin's speech focused on importance of dialog.
 Sponsor of the event:
Istanbul Center For Culture And Dialogue - ICCD
http://www.istanbulcenter.org
Photos from the event
Mayor Heidi Davison - (Athens Clarke County)
Suleyman Eris (Imam - Istanbul Center for Culture and Dialogue)
Dr. Edward Halper (Professor of Philosophy - University of Georgia)
For more pictures go to
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