Peace Islands Institute Hosts Awards Ceremony
The Peace Islands Institute envisions a community without barriers- where people of different colors, castes and creeds can co-exist peacefully. In conjunction with the Turkish Cultural Center, the PII hosted the 5th annual friendship dinner and award ceremony, at Cipriani in Manhattan, NY.
The guests were treated to the lilting tunes on the violin and the mastery of an Ebru artist.
The President of PII, Zafer Akin spoke about the mission of the institute.
"Our job at peace islands is to basically cross that bridge, to educate our elected officials, to educate our leaders in the community and get them to promote peace, harmony and prosperity both here in the US and throughout the world."
Awards were presented to those who contributed to community service, friendship, the media. Young researchers and scholars award were also honored for their outstanding work.
NYS Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman received the Community Service award. US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was presented with the Friendship award .
Renowned journalist ,Paul Moses and Emmy winning TV host Rita Cosby, were presented awards for their exemplary work in the media.
"Just to know each other, and I think that solves a lot of problems once you have personal relationships. So, you know, an event like this really helps to build those relationships," exclaimed Paul Moses.
Others at the event also spoke of the important work done by the PII in establishing peace and harmony in the community.
"What this event does, it brings us together and it brings it to the forefront of what is necessary so that we can have peace and harmony and so I look at it as an indication of what the future will be,” added Gregory Weldon Meeks, U.S. Representative, New York
Steven H. Cymbrowitz from the New York State Assembly said "There is a possibility that we, my children and grandchildren will one day live in a world where there is no conflict because we have dialogue. So if there are issues, we sit down and discuss it and we understand our differences."
The event was geared to bring people together, and it succeeded to that end. All the guests mixed and mingled, enjoying the spirit of camaraderie.
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