"Turkish-American organizations to promote understanding between Turks and Americans and to strengthen the friendship, business and cultural ties between the two countries. Enhance the economic and social standing of Turkish-American businessmen and businesswomen within the U.S. All activities of Turkish American associations, interview with their executivies.. "
Seventy members of Congress from across the United States have shared video messages and letters of recognition with Islamic Relief USA, expressing their “Ramadan Mubarak!” greetings and commending the Islamic Relief family for its humanitarian and advocacy work. IRUSA thanks them for their engagement with the Muslim community and their recognition of this blessed season.
We've already reached the half-way point of this month where we strive for piety and righteousness! And you have made it a remarkable 15 days. Look at some of what we've achieved together.
TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION
With so many people restricted to working from home and practicing social distancing, IRUSA answered your call and created a whole channel of online events and programs via IRUSA Live, including: Ramadan Reflections - The Prophets Series; 30 for 30 - Fitness Workout with Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady; Digital Kids Camp with Noor Kids, Cooks for a Cause, The Ten, and more.
WORKING GLOBALLY
Islamic Relief donors have provided food aid and hygiene kits containing essentials like hand sanitizer, surgical masks, and thermometers to high-risk communities in places like Syria and Afghanistan where vital health infrastructure has crumbled due to conflict.
And you've done so much more: You've helped those suffering from thirst get water; orphans get support; and widows gain opportunities to create a livelihood for themselves and their families; and on and on.
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Because of your generosity and support, IRUSA is able to implement these programs and many more to help our sisters and brothers in need around the world.
If you have NOT made a donation this Ramadan, it’s not too late! And if you have, then a Ramadan Jummah is a great day to increase your sadaqah.
$50 can provide a family with a Ramadan food package
$100 can provide rice and meal essentials for five families
$500 helps give financial assistance to our vulnerable neighbors affected by COVID-19
Winter can make or break survival for any of us. And for our vulnerable sisters and brothers—those already suffering from poverty, displaced from their homes, with no food or water—the freezing temperatures add another battle they have to fight to survive. Our team at IRUSA will be working from now and all winter long to aid communities braving the cold. But we need your help. Sharing your warmth helps our sisters and brothers get through the winter. Your donation provides vital items like food, medical aid, water, blankets, mattresses, plastic sheeting, plastic mats, shoes, jackets, hats, sweatshirts, gloves, waterproof coats, socks, and more.
NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Turkish Society will honor Vehbi Koç Foundation at their 2019 Gala on Friday, November 1 at Cipriani 25 Broadway, in New York. Gala Chair, Peggy Rockefeller Dulany will present the Koç Family with the American Turkish Society's "50 years of Excellence in Philanthropy Award."
TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TUSIAD President Simone Kaslowski recently met with Members of Congress to highlight the importance of maintaining the strategic alliance and dialogue between the United States and Turkey. The meetings were set up by TCA on the occasion of the inaugural delegation led by Kaslowski to Washington as TUSIAD’s new president. TUSIAD, i.e. the Turkish Industry and Business Association, is Turkey’s equivalent of the Business Roundtable in the U.S.
Soh Young Lee-Segredo has been performing all her life. She is a singer, choir director, storyteller and program coordinator. When she was 10 years old, she created ‘Charlie Chapplin Act’ and performed in front of large audience in the street of S. Korea. At age 15, she was vice president of the Red Cross Youth Middle school division, Seoul and experienced first-hand leadership. Via S Korea, to Paraguay, Brazil, Spain, Soh Young Lee-Segredo was exposed to multiculturalism and she learned value of diversity in gender, race, languages, different music and people. She is a founding member and director of the Multicultural Peace Mission Choir, Soh Young Ensemble and Soh Young and Friends. She sang National Anthems in Madison Square Garden and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Sena Eken Schieber was a pioneering international civil servant and a role model for many women. After graduating from Robert College in Istanbul and receiving her PhD from Pittsburgh University, she worked at the IMF rising to the rank of Assistant Director, the highest for a Turkish employee in the history of the institution. She died on June 3rd, 2014 in Washington, DC. Her husband, George Schieber established Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award in 2015 with Turkish Philanthropy Funds. His late wife, Sena Eken Schieber’s legacy will now live with the empowerment of talented women from Turkey.
By Mihir Zaveri - New York Times - With Ramadan underway, the Diyanet Mosque of New Haven was a daily gathering place for Muslims to be among friends and family as they broke their fast. But on Sunday, worshipers received devastating news: A fire had broken out just before 4 p.m., rendering the mosque uninhabitable. And on Monday, New Haven officials delivered another blow: They announced that they believed that the fire had been set intentionally “We’re just kind of shocked,” said Haydar Elevli, the president of the Connecticut branch of the Turkish-American Religious Foundation, which owns the mosque. “Everybody’s sad right now.”
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told us, “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.” Sharing nutritious food with those who are in need is one of the most fundamental components of Islam—and of Islamic Relief. Start your Ramadan off right by giving food.
Prolonged conflict and natural disasters have destroyed the communities and economies that once thrived so well in the Middle East, leaving millions of people displaced now as refugees from the places they once called home. Many nations within the Middle East are undergoing great changes and challenges on a road to recovery. IRUSA is partnering to empower countless families across Iraq, Jordan, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine.
Murat Guzel, a prominent Turkish American businessman, is honored for his lifetime membership to the The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) during Martin Luther King Day celebration. Guzel says: "Dr. Martin Luther King once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" I have used this as my guiding principle in life . In working with local organizations, I have worked to increase the awareness and the importance of volunteerism and philanthropy among all people including fellow CEOs. Dr. King also often remarked "we can all be great because we can all serve." Let's make 2019 a GREAT year by serving others."
On December 10, 2018, Hon. Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN/9th) made a statement in the United States House of Representatives recognizing TCA and its President G. Lincoln McCurdy for receiving the 2018 Gusi Peace Prize. Congressman Cohen is a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans.
NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2018 - The American Turkish Society is pleased to announce the seventh class of "Young Society Leaders," a group of 26 accomplished professionals with a demonstrated record of leadership ability and commitment to serve the U.S.-Turkish community at large. "We welcome the new class of Young Society Leaders. We are extremely pleased to be able to recognize these outstanding young leaders who will help shape the dialogue and enhance the ties between our two countries," said Lawrence M. Kaye, Co-Vice Chair of The American Turkish Society."
McCurdy standing in the center with Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Lucas Bersamin on his left and the laureate from Turkey, Faruk Cengic, to his right.
G. Lincoln McCurdy, president of the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), was one of the fifteen 2018 laureates from 13 countries receiving the Gusi International Peace Prize at its 17th annual awards ceremony on November 28 in Manila, Philippines. The Gusi Peace Prize, established in 2002, is Asia’s foremost award that recognizes individuals and organizations working toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity.
