Why did the attacks of September 11, 2001 happen? They were perpetrated because of hate, hate founded in ignorance and a lack of respect for human dignity. The terrorists who intentionally took so many innocent lives that day, did not take into account the fact that amongst those murdered were also Muslims in addition to others killed who were Jewish, Christian, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic or Atheist. They did not care about who they were killing, whether they were Arab, Turkish, Canadian, American, or otherwise. The terrorists’ only goal was utter destruction, corporeal and ideological.

The attacks of September 11^, 2001 embody not only a physical hijacking of planes with the intention to kill thousands of innocent people, a concept forbidden in the Qur’an, but also represent a hijacking of Islam itself. As Fethullah Gulen, a prominent Muslim scholar and activist,  stated “ A real Muslim, who understood Islam in every aspect, cannot be a terrorist. It is hard for a man to stay as a Muslim if he becomes involved in terror.” Now is not the time to draw lines in the sand and to qualify and quantify people by how they look or what religion they practice. To quote Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, famous poet and 13^th-century Islamic Sufi philosopher, “Don’t hate me because I am you.” Xenophobia, Islamophobia and hate based on an ignorant “us versus them” mentality are of the past, of death and destruction. Now is the time to unify and to celebrate our common humanity in the face of those extremists who would destroy it and us.

As former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said during her interview at the Carter Center on September 7, 2011, now-a decade after 9/11-all people should stand together and “look forward.” “It is not about looking at the person next to you to figure out if they are Muslim,” stated Secretary Albright, because “we are all in this together.” Rather, now is the time for every nation of the world to be proud of our resilience and to realize that education and empathy based on respect and a recognition of basic human dignity are founding elements for the world of the future, a better world which each of has both a stake in and the power to influence.

As Intercultural Dialogue Institute, we have a a vision and desire to live in a peaceful world, a better world where non-violence, respect, understanding, friendship, cooperation and love prevails. Thus, IDI seeks to promote dialogue through educational and cultural programs and humanitarian works. We at IDI pledge to continue to achieve this vision through our mission: proactively contributing to solving educational, cultural, environmental, social and humanitarian issues, by contributing to world peace via respect, acceptance, dialogue, love, richness of faith and culture, and by creating opportunities for dialogue between communities to build bridges between cultures and peoples.

As our hearts bleed for the victims of 9/11, we believe that we altogether-regardless of our distinct cultures, ethnicities, and races- do share a common dream: A peaceful world, in which love is very much loved and hatred is doomed to be hated. Let’s open not only our minds but also our hearts. Let’s listen not only our neighbors but also voices that extend overseas. Let’s imagine the peace not only in our towns but also in the universe.

We cordially invite you to the first program in this series.

Understanding Rumi’s Legacy

March 8^th 2011,  4-6pm

Claude T. Bissel building, Room 205

University of Toronto.

The program will feature two academic presentations on Rumi and Live Whirling Dervish Performance.

Admission is free

Sponsored by

SAYGI Turkish Canadian Academics Association

Contact Info:

Tel: 416-787-2300

Email: info@canadianintercultural.ca

Website: www.interculturaldialog.com

Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi is a 13^th century Muslim poet and scholar who becomes increasingly popular in the West and around the world. Rumi’s philosophy of openness, compassion and universal love reveals his significance for the modern world.  According to BBC, Rumi has been recognized as the most popular poet in North America. UNESCO declared the year 2007 as the International Rumi Year.

The night program consisted of introductory videos of IDI’s activities, and intercultural study trip to Turkey. The prize draw at the end of the program for two Turkish airline comfort return tickets to Istanbul provided another memorable instance from the night. Water Marbling Art (Ebru) show was compelling and the impressive part of the event. During the dinner, the choir from William Dunbar Public School performed several songs, including the poem Insallah which was written and composed by Dr. Gary Polonsky, the founder president of the UOIT. The event was introduced by a hosting committee consisting of 12 distinguished members from Canadian society who contributed their leadership, knowledge, and experience to the organization of the dinner. Finally, IDI presented its first Distinguished Educator Award to the Ministry of Education of Ontario to recognize its outstanding contributions to the field of inclusive education.