The prophet Muhammad said: The believer in God is he who is not a danger to the life and property of any other. The meaning of Islam is peace. Islam, the religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings a grave sin. The prophet said: “These three things are also enjoined upon the faithful: - to help others, even when one is economically hard-pressed, - to pray ardently for peace of all mankind, and – administer justice to one’s own self.”
Those terrorists do not represent 1 Billion Muslims, a fifth of the world population. I would like to express my deep condolences to everyone for their grief, which is really the grief of the humanity, because of this terrible tragedy. But God in his inifinite wisdom and compassion can turn an evil into good.
Today, we are also observing the 11th day of holy month of Ramadan for Muslims all around world. I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak about my family story on diversity in this meaningful day. I am also very happy to see that we can gather and talk over our stories to make all of us stronger at the anniversary of such a tragedy. Commonsense and dialogue won over anger and ignorance.
Dialogue is the answer to bring the richness of the diversity. Dialogue does not simply mean talking to one another, but goes beyond talking to include listening to each other, studying problems together, working together in peace and harmony. It involves an openness to those whose religious or ethnic group is different from our own; It means accepting them as they are, without feeling that we have to change them and make them like ourselves.
As Colin Powell says: “America is a nation of nations, made up of people from every land, of every race and practicing every faith. Our diversity is not a source of weakness, it is a source of strength, and it is a source of our success.” I come from a background where diversity was always seen as an opportunity and richness. My ancestors the Ottomans provided a thriving example of peaceful coexistence. Ottoman rule in the Middle East and Southeastern Europe created one of the most successful models of plural society in the early modern world. Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived, worshipped and studied side by side enriching their distinct traditions.
I grew up in a town in South Turkey where Muslims, Jewish Christians and other religious groups lived as neighbors for hundreds years in harmony. Some of my best friends were Christian and Jewish children. We went to school together and played soccer together.
We are 8 siblings all together. We live in 4 different countries and 3 different continents, where we speak 4 different languages to communicate with our children. When we have a family reunion, it is like United Nations assembly.
14 years ago when I arrived to the U.S with my wife Selma who was expecting our first child to seek higher education, I was overwhelmed but not scared. I felt, after all we won’t be alone in this new country which is the country of immigrants moved here to pursue their dreams and goals in this new homeland.
America’s founders established a society that would embrace diversity and celebrate the differences that various cultures would bring to the United States. I want to thank you all for making me and my family and my Muslim friends feel accepted as who we are and offering your friendship.
Have a wonderful evening.
Thank you
