At the Maryland Turkish American Inhabitants (MARTI)-Rockville’s annual iftar dinner last week, Ambassador David Newton recounted his time at Radio Free Iraq. Tolerance, he often told his staff, was the key value that we need to promote. He would bring together leaders from different tribes and different nationalities to speak together for a radio program. “Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi is a great example of this [promoting tolerance]...”County Executive Ike Leggett noted that Rockville’s Montgomery County is unique in its great diversity with students in the school district speaking 150 languages and coming from “literally all over the world.” He spoke about New Hampshire Avenue as “the houses of worship row,” and stated that diversity is a strength for us but also a challenge. “What is happening in New York is a test for the American people. I am hopeful that we will see that our founding fathers were correct.”
Peter Kovach, from the US State Department, encouraged Muslims living in the United States to engage and continue dialogue with all Americans, including those who might not necessarily be friendly towards Muslims.
The evening of friendship and good food was capped off with a water marbling demonstration, a traditional Turkish art form also known as Ebru.
