Neal wrote on November 08, 2009 06:27 AM: Dialogue is a must today. That was my take- home message from this dinner and your article. Muslims and the West have struggled with each other for almost 1,400 years. However, Muslims who oppose and resent the West will never help Islam or Muslims. Besides, the West needs to know that Muslim armies can no longer march on the West and the West cannot wipe out Islam or its territory. Dialog activities like this dinner show people that there really is hope for reconciliation and peaceful co-existence for both sides.

john wrote on November 07, 2009 04:22 PM: Being neutral is not easy, being with people you do not know about indicates openness and willingness to learn and understand each other. Learning opens doors to new worlds and to peace. Telling others who are afraid of taking the first step; that it is not as bitter as seems, is a big step. One step at a time, one dinner at a time, one article at a time, steadily but surely is how friendship and peace come about.
Thank you Ms. Morrison for expressing your unbiased views to others how it is a pleasure to know more about each other.

Angie wrote on November 07, 2009 10:38 AM: I had thoughts about attending to the event when I was invited by Mr. Dandalar, one of the organization’s volunteers, I did have no intentions to go and for that reason I never RSVP’ed. Same day of the event, I suddenly changed my mind and attended to the dinner. The event was magnificent, volunteers’ sincerity, contribution to peace, and friendship was quite impressive. I’ve got chance to chat with quite a few Turks at the event, they are classy and highly educated too. Definitely, not Taliban type.

brother wrote on November 06, 2009 06:29 PM: Kudos to you Jane.. It is good to see in you that prejudices do not stand on your way to get to know the other. We human beings usually tend to judge people with ready-made labels. Because it is easy. But we need to dare to disturb the comfort of our minds sometimes. Thank you for going to that dinner loooking at the other's eyes. After all these are the times to emphasize commonalities at least as much as differences. If there is a way to fight against Islamic fundementalism it is these moderate and tolerant groups. I think we should support them.

Dave wrote on November 06, 2009 04:21 PM: This is the kind of groups and activities we need if we care about the future of our relations with the rest of the world. I am really disappointed to read comments that make mock of dialogue efforts and do scare mongering based on the identity and background of the organizers. These are idealist people who come out and try to contribute to the wellbeing of their society and rather than encouraging them we question their intentions. We should be glad that they are being part of a solution rather than being a burden. We complain about the lack or scarcity of moderate voices voices from the Muslim world, and when there is a group that exactly fulfils that positive role we decide to question their motives. This is really counterproductive. I applaud the Pacifica Institute for their contribution to our community. I thank Jane for bringing this to our attention and hope that the organizers will continue their similar efforts in the future.

Faith wrote on November 06, 2009 01:35 PM: Jane,
Thank you very much for letting us know that there are also good things happening in these days we have been suffering with fights, wars, diseases and crisis. I've heard similar activities by Gulen's followers all around the states. It is nothing but praises people who attend these events say about them. Once we are released from our ignorance and prejudice then we might be hopeful to have peace at mind and world.

Turk wrote on November 06, 2009 07:05 AM: Dude Man, when did you start supporting communist China’s oppression on its own people? Where do you get your facts about the events took in 1915? Armenians sided with the Russians against the Ottoman! In those days, treason was punishable by death. Even though Ottoman was the “sick man of Europe”, that did not stop Ottoman to use their limited resources to move Armenians to safer locations in southern borders and many people died from various causes during this forced emigration. Ottoman always gave freedom of religion to its people, so please do not try to get support from Christians with your non-factual claims. Current Turkish and Armenian governments are working on peaceful ways to smooth out problems between two countries including the “so called genocide” claims.

Huseyin wrote on November 06, 2009 12:13 AM: Jane:
Thank you writing about this event on your column. I am a Turkish American and also one of those millions of people who have been inspired by Mr. Fethullah Gulen. We are also trying to promote Multi-cultural awareness, and contribute to our society in Los Angeles area by educational and cultural services. Building bridge is always more difuccult than destroying it. Reading positive news on the media always motivates me to do more and reach out more. Ignorance is the biggest enemy for the peace, and the solution is simple: education and dialogue. Thanks again writing about this wonderful event on your column.

KEREM wrote on November 05, 2009 08:01 PM: It’s a wonderful, pragmatic event that should never be prejudged. Just the word “Dialogue” itself implies so much, as it brings people together who would not naturally sit down together and talk about important issues and/or differences to get to know each other, eliminate conflicts, and build bridges between the cultures, religions, and societies. Events like this particular one, play significant role in establishing peace in the societies where individuals tolerating differences. I’ve seen some negative comments written by intolerant individuals who show prejudgment, stereotype, and hate in their phrases. If that’s how they want to be like, then it’s their choice and we just respect that. This is a free country, isn’t it?

Arturo wrote on November 05, 2009 07:38 PM: I'm a muslim and appreciate the freedom of religion being offered to me by US rather than many other so called "muslim countries".

Thank you Jane for taking such a risk, going to such a dinner and most of all writing a story out of it.

Dialog is a must in today's world no matter who promotes it. Some people talks the talk, some walks the walk. Some creates their own enemies and fear of them, some reaches out to unknown and make them friends.

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