Turkish Cultural Center of Staten Island (TCCSI), is a non-profit organization, dedicated to promote peace and harmony in diverse cultural settings, will organize its 5th Annual Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony held on May 1st, 2014, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at The Vanderbilt at South Beach in Staten Island, NY. The Annual Friendship Dinner is the TCCSI's signature and largest annual event. In addition to fine dining and award ceremony, the dinner socializes a wide spectrum of non-profit, small/large business owners, community leaders, academicians and professionals in Staten Island. The program began with a reception at 6:30 pm and during the reception drawing art exhibit named "New York Meets with Istanbul" was available in the reception area. The program continued with dinner and the award ceremony from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Guests enjoyed traditional Turkish music during dinner. Keynote speaker, Rev. John Pahl from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia will deliver his speech aligned with the theme for this year's friendship dinner, "Freedom of Speech and Respect for the Sacred". The Awards Committee decided to offer awards in three categories to those prominent individuals who have provided inspiring services for promoting harmony, upholding freedom of speech and respecting the sacred among the Staten Islanders. The award recipients are as follows: Friendship Award to NY State Assemblyman Joseph Borelli presented by NYS Senator Diane Savino, Leadership Award to Staten Island Borough President James Oddo presented by NYS Assemblyman Michael Cusick and Interfaith Award to St. John's Episcopal Church Rector Rev. Roy Cole presented by Imam Ibrahim Sayar from Peace Island Institute.

• published: 13 May 2014
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