Members of various faiths gathered at the New York Türkevi for a fast-breaking meal (iftar).
The speakers at the event, hosted by the New York Consulate General and supported by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, referred to shared values.
Ambassador Sedat Önal, Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the UN, said he is pleased to see people of various faiths gathered under the Türkevi’s roof.
Önal said, "As has been stated, Ramadan is a time for us, Muslims, to contemplate and pray to strengthen all types of communities, but it is also a time to share and empathize with those less privileged."
New York Consul General Reyhan Özgür stated that the iftar table that they have gathered around is proof of the friendship that has developed among the believers of the three major religions, and said, "This year's iftars have taken on a new dimension. As you are aware, we welcomed Ramadan this year with sadness due to the earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6."
"The most striking fact that disasters remind us of is that we are all members of the same great human family, regardless of our faith, culture, or origin," Özgür said. He also noted that it was fascinating to see people from various backgrounds show empathy and solidarity for disaster victims following the earthquake.
Emphasizing that Muslims, Christians and Jews coexisted peacefully in the Ottoman Empire for centuries, Özgür said, "And Turkish Jews and Christians are now an integral part of our nation. This iftar is also a response to the threat posed by racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism, which we regard as crimes against humanity. "
Many religious leaders also delivered speeches
Religious leaders, including High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Moratinos, President of the New York Board of Rabbis Joseph Elie Weinstock and Executive Vice President Joseph Potasnik, American Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros and Imam Shamsi Ali, delivered speeches at the iftar event, which was held for the second time this year, referring to the unity and solidarity of believers.
During the event, Attaché for Religious Services in New York Ali Tos recited the adhan and iftar prayer, and Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines were served to the guests.
On the other hand, the delegation of the Directorate of Communications, including the Deputy Director of Communications Assoc. Prof. Çağatay Özdemir, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information, and Technology and AK Party Konya Deputy Ziya Altunyaldız, AFAD General Director of Earthquake and Risk Reduction Prof. Orhan Tatar, Members of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council Prof. Çağrı Erhan and Prof. Nurşin Ateşoğlu Güney, were also present at the iftar event.
