Interfaith dinner to connect cultures

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

youngstown

The Niagara Foundation strives to build bridges between faiths and cultures.

That’s the purpose behind an interfaith dinner planned Wednesday at DeBartolo Stadium Club at Youngstown State University.

Dr. Abdurrahman Arslanyilmaz, a professor of computer science and information systems at YSU, is a volunteer with the Youngstown Chapter of the Niagara Foundation, based in Chicago, and a member of the Turkish American Society of Ohio, in Cleveland. The society is sponsoring the dinner to promote the foundation’s message.

He said the foundation was established by Turkish people to “promote common values of humanity such as understanding, tolerance, respect and compassion.”

The Turkish American Society is geared to Turkish Americans and immigrants from Turkey who “want to stay in touch with Turkish roots.”

The society promotes understanding of Turkish heritage and traditions by hosting educational, cultural, social and charitable events. Arslanyilmaz said the society also encourages members to be active and engaged members of their communities.

Arslanyilmaz said the interfaith dinner focuses on “closing the gap” between faiths and cultures. He said the local event is one of many “grass-roots” efforts but the foundation sponsors events on a global scale. That includes an intercultural trip to Turkey, where the tour visits multiple cities with strong ties to Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

He said the foundation appreciates the rich multicultural heritage of Ohioans. The interfaith dinner, Arslanyilmaz said, is meant to serve as a starting point for dialogue among people of many faiths.

Arslanyilmaz said the dinner is meant to focus on commonalities and acknowledge differences.

Last year, he said, about 40 community and religious leaders attended; this year, there are reservations for about 60. Arslanyilmaz said many of those attending represent YSU faculty from religious studies, social science and history departments and the office of diversity and leaders of various denominations in the Valley.

This year, speakers will include: the Rev. Ash Welch, co-pastor of Boardman United Methodist Church; and Zeki Sanitoprak, a professor of Islamic studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland; and a message from the Jewish community.

For information, call Arslanyilmaz at 330-402-0257. Visit www.niagarafoundation.org and www.tasocleveland.org.