At the 4th Traditional Friendship Dinner hosted by the Turkish Cultural Center (TCC) and the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations in New York, Zaman Weekly, a publication which was recently launched in the US by the same media group as Today’s Zaman, was presented with an award.
Some of New York’s most influential politicians, including Democratic Senators Robert Casey and Kristen Gillibrand attended the event. Turkish Ambassador to the US Namık Tan, Turkey’s permanent representative to the UN Ertuğrul Apakan, Turkish Consul General to New York Mehmet Samsar, several US congressmen and members of the New York State Assembly, representatives of the New York Police Department and the FBI as well as community figures from civil society, businessmen, diplomats, journalists and religious representatives were among the guests.
Steven Cymbrowitz, a member of the New York State Assembly, delivered a speech during the event, sharing his memories of a recent visit to Turkey. He said, Gulen inspired schools had made him aware that one did not need to be a Turk to follow such an “amazing person” (Fethullah Gulen) and dedicate oneself to charity. He also presented a certificate of appreciation to be relayed to Fethullah Gulen by TCC officers. Cymbrowitz praised Fethullah Gulen for having sacrificed himself for the good of humanity and world peace.
