Turkey's ambassador to the U.S. hosted representatives of Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities at an iftar (fast-breaking) dinner Tuesday.
"I would like to welcome you all to the residence of the Turkish ambassador on this lovely Ramadan evening to share our iftar," said Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan in his speech to the guests.
Mercan, who took office in early March, noted that he had traveled to Istanbul and met with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos, Isak Haleva, Turkey's chief rabbi, and Ishak Ibrahimzadeh, the head of the Turkish-Jewish community, before arriving in the U.S.
"During these visits, I had the chance to pass through the old city, with the domes of our mosques and the many churches and synagogues. And I should say there is always fresh hope and joy of life in the breeze of the Bosporus. That is how we should be inspired and encouraged to stand together, hand in hand against any bigotry and hatred around the world, be it Islamophobia, anti-Christianity, anti-Semitism, or any other hatred targeting people's freedom of conscience," he said.
The prominent guests included Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Rabbi Marc Schneier, the president of the Foundation For Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), and Professor Bilal Kuşpınar, the president of the Diyanet Center of America.
Ambassador Elin Suleymanov of Azerbaijan was the special guest at the event. Many imams, rabbis, bishops, reverends and scholars were also in attendance.
They included Reverend Johnnie Moore, Dr. David Renwick of the National Presbyterian Church, Mark Hetfield, president of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the president of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, Rabbi Sid Schwarz of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and Rabbi Gad Bouskila of the Moroccan Community in New York as well as Imam Tarif Shraim of the University of Maryland, Imam Yahya Hendi of Georgetown University and Imam Talib Shareef of Masjid Muhammad.
Reverend Johnnie Moore thanked Ambassador Mercan for his invitation, noting that their faiths teach the importance of such invitations.
Rabbi Mendy Chitrik also said he was honored to speak at the event.
The guests also enjoyed a recital of the "kanun," a traditional Ottoman string instrument with deep historical roots.
"Let me close by wishing all the people peace, harmony and a secure environment to enjoy life with their families and friends. Together, like we do this evening," Mercan concluded.