“Let us no longer consider ourselves to be a drop destined to dry and vanish. Instead, let us unite as one cascading river, flowing towards the sea of eternity.”
M. Fethullah Gülen
On Wed 19th March our sister organisation, the Turquoise Harmony Institute, hosted an Iftar (breaking of the Ramadan fast) dinner at Star College, Bridgetown/Athlone, in Cape Town. Turquoise is the South African NGO which is a part of the Hizmet movement, whose visionary leader Fethullah Gülen, passed away in 2024.
Gülen’s rich legacy of the Spirit and his visionary social cohesion programs have been patiently developed in Cape Town by the Regional leader Dr Aydin Inal, who also serves on the Board of the CTII. Together with his amazing wife Rabia, the Inals have created a hub of genuine community that truly transcends their Turkish origins. Their hugely generous hosting and effective social action over the last decades – ubuntu itself – was palpable at the event.
What perfect harmony, what exquisite balance! (And did I mention the food?) Dedicated to and featuring our youth, the Iftar was a triumph in every way. The CTII’s Pippa Jones introduced 3 of our CTII rising stars who spoke magnificently to the 200 strong assembly. And many more young voices from inside the larger Turquoise, Muslim and Interfaith communities amazed us with their eloquence and insight.
Several prominent South African political and academic dignitaries, such as Prof. Aslam Fataar, Prof. Farid Esack, and MP Shameemsh Davids bridged the youthful energy with the reality of our still-struggling society. The deputy minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, closed the array of speakers.
The CTII is proud to be associated with the Turquoise Harmony Institute, and may our complementarity grow from strength to strength.
