2nd Annual Turkish American Day at the Alabama Capitol
Montgomery (February 23, 2012) – The 2nd Annual Turkish American Day at the Alabama Capitol took place at the Alabama State Capitol Building on Thursday, February 23rd 2012 from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. This unique program – free and open to the public - introduced Alabama Senators, Representatives, staff and the community to Turkish culture through fabulous food, fun, Turkish Music performance and cultural exhibitions.
Turkish Tea Night
Peace Valley Foundation and Turkish Student Organization organized Turkish Tea Night at University of South Alabama. There were live demonstration and video about how to
prepare Turkish Hot Tea. At the end of the night, guests tasted Turkish Hot Tea and enjoyed traditional Turkish Baklava & Delight.
DSS Mobile (Distinguished Speaker Series)
USA Library AuditoriumDelegation from Turkey visited UAB
As part of a trip that is organized by Istanbul Center, Peace Valley Foundation and Turkish American Chamber of Commerce, Southeast, a Turkish delegation including three governors, Mr. Nurullah Cakir from Corum, Mr. Abdulkadir Demir from Denizli, Mr. Mvlut Bilici from Kayseri and two high government officials, executive directors of Istanbul Center and Peace Valley Foundation visited University of Alabama at Birmingham. Governors invited UAB president Carol Garrison and provost Linda Lucas to Turkey to improve bidirectional academic relationships.
UAB President Carol Z. Garrison Hosted a dinner
UAB president Carol Z. Garrison hosted a dinner for the honor of Dr. Adnan Cinal, Expert Counselor of Health, Turkey, Mehmet Selim Uslu, Economic Attache of Turkey. During this dinner Peace Valley Foundation executive director Umit Gunebir presented caligraphy artworks to UAB and President Garrison for UAB's initiative in developing academic and cultural relationships with Turkey.
Mobile International Festival
The annually organized Mobile International Festival(MIF) is one of the most appealing events held in Mobile. Volunteers of Peace Valley Foundation proudly helped Turkish-American community to organize Turkish cultural and food booths at MIF. Visitors got the chance to experience Turkish culture, learn about the history, and enjoy with the traditional food.
Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund
It is with a heavy heart that we regret to inform you of the massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred this weekend in Turkey. As the death toll presently surpasses 300 victims, Peace Valley Foundation and Istanbul Center has decided to initiate a fund in Alabama and in the Southeast U.S. to help the most affected cities. For as you may know, this large earthquake struck Turkey, Sunday October 23rd 2011 around 10:40 a.m.
Africa Needs your Helping Hand
More than 11 million people in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti are affected by the drought. People have been displaced because of the drought and children are dying from starvation. There are more than 400,000 Somalian refugees staying in the Dadaab Camp near Kenya and the number is increasing. Recently, Adrian Edwards, the Official Representative of the UN stated that the Dadaab Camp is the world’s largest refugee camp.
Trip to Turkey 2011
This year again, Peace Valley Foundation organized intercultural dialogue trips to Turkey and invited Alabamians from many different backgrounds, traditions and professions. Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy, professors, journalists, artists, politicians and business leaders spend ten days together while visiting historic Turkish cities and sites.
4th Dialogue Dinner
Birmingham, AL. Our Center hosted the 4th Annual Dialogue Dinner on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at the Harbert Center in Birmingham, AL. The theme of the dinner is “Who is my neighbor?”
Distinguished speakers of the program were:
Dr. Beverly Hawk, Director of Crossroads Community Center at University of Alabama
Dr. Edward LaMonte, Howell Heflin Professor of Political Science at Birmingham Southern College
Mr. Gurkan Ekicikol, Outreach director, Istanbul Center, Atlanta,GA
Ladino Exhibition
Birmingham, AL. The Istanbul Center and the Peace Valley Foundation presented the historic Ladino Exhibition of images commemorating 500 years of Jewish-Turkish history in Birmingham, Mobile, Auburn and Huntsville. In Birmingham the exhibition was held at Birmingham International Center, the program started with the opening and welcoming by Jesse Hernandez, President of the BIC. Then, Peace Valley Foundation Vice President Yasin Oduk greeted the guests.
Tornado Relief Efforts
Tuscaloosa, AL. Volunteers of our center and Turkish-Alabamians living in Mobile, Tuscaloosa and Auburn, AL reached out to the communities recently hit by tornados. Volunteers collaborated with American Red Cross in order to provide assistance and emotional support to those affected in the region.