Peace Islands Institute (PII), formerly known as Interfaith Dialog Center (IDC), is a non-profit, tax exempt (501(c) (3)) organization founded by Turkish-Americans of North Jersey in 2003. PII endeavors to promote respect and mutual understanding among all faiths and cultures by organizing educational and cultural activities such as lectures, seminars, conferences, discussion panels, luncheons and trips to Turkey. By this mission PII aims to contribute to improvement of diversity, pluralism and multiculturalism in the society.
Contents
- Dialog and Unity Dinners
- PII Awards Ceremony
- Abrahams Table Luncheons
- PII Luncheon Forums
- Turkey Trips
- Neighborliness Project
- Mission
- Aims and Principles
- Advisory Board of PII
- References
PII has been inspired by the Turkish scholar Fethullah Gulen, and is a member organization of the Alliance for Shared Values.
PII started its activities with the leadership of its volunteers by organizing short educational seminars at the conference room of the Rutherford Public Library. PII rented its center at 545 Interstate Place, Carlstadt, New Jersey in the Spring of 2004. PII hired its first full-time staff in the Summer of 2004. Now, PII operates at its office in Newark at 17 Academy Street Suite 701.
As PII has aimed to reach out to all segments of the society, it has been organizing different activities to serve this end.
PII announced in August 2011 that it had a new name, Peace Islands Institute (PII), and that it would operate not only in New Jersey but also in the East Coast states like New York and Massachusetts.
Dialog and Unity Dinners
They started as a Ramadan Dinner in November 2004. All faiths and cultures, government officials, members of law enforcement, and elected officials come together on this dinner. These dinners gathered many from all walks of life. Mr. Weysan Dun, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Newark, announced his departure from New Jersey at one of PII's dinners on November 18, 2009.
PII Awards Ceremony
PII Awards started in 2008, publicly recognize the outstanding achievements of those recipients who have distinguished themselves in their profession, community and service to humanity and New Jersey community. The awards are based on a variety of factors, including interfaith/intercultural involvement, community service, education, community educational involvements, professional and community honors, business and professional leadership, and educational honors. Awards ceremony were covered by the media both in 2008 and 2009. Award Ceremonies were on TVs. Ebru TV broadcast the first ceremony in the US and Turkey in their main news program. PII held its 2010 ceremony on June 6, 2010. Honorees included Governor Thomas Kean, Rep. Rush Holt and Ebru TV.
Abraham's Table Luncheons
These luncheons are venues where speakers from Abrahamic religions discuss and find our commonalities. Started in 2004 as clergy luncheons, it is NJ's only widely attended religious luncheon series. PII is collaborating with churches, synagogues and colleges like College of St. Elizabeth, Centenary College.
PII Luncheon Forums
PII Luncheons serve as venues for interfaith-intercultural, non-political forums to exchange ideas and discuss vital issues that relate to New Jerseyans. The speakers share their viewpoints, perceptions, and experiences on those vital issues. PII luncheons hosted many distinguished like then US Attorney Chris Christie, Drew University's president Dr. Robert Weisbuch, and Paula Dow
Turkey Trips
Sponsored by PII Turkey trips are very much instrumental in building bridges between and the Turkish American Community and other faith groups and individuals. What makes Turkey particularly attractive as a travel destination is that because it has always been a crossroads for civilizations and beliefs, not to mention its marvelous natural beauties, warm hospitality, and world famous cuisine. Turkey is a land of Divine love. It is a land where diverse faiths and cultures have lived in peace for millennia. It is a land of dialogue and tolerance; it is the land of Abraham - spiritual forefather of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Turkey trips are very instrumental to develop friendship, understand and respect each other better. Bishop Serratelli of Paterson Diocese, NJ, says 'Visiting devout individuals who are inspired by Gülen made our trip through Turkey a true journey of faith'.
All PII events serve to cultivate friendship and deepen inter-cultural awareness and understanding among the many diverse ethnic and civic communities in New Jersey.
Neighborliness Project
Neighborliness Project was initiated by PII in the fall of 2008. The aim of the project is to improve the interactions among neighbors in various communities. To this effect, Turkish community members invite people of different faiths and cultures to a dinner party at their homes, which kindles long lasting friendships. "A meal like this is not about pushing beliefs on one another, but learning about aspects of culture through breaking the fast", Win Win Kyi, a professor at Bergen Community College said after the meal. Throughout the evening, she said she realized how much in common she had with her hosts.
Mission
Interfaith dialogue is one of the major medicines to overcome humanity's common ills that arise from unbelief. Our world's durability depends, to a great extent, on the promotion of interfaith dialogue. We also believe that establishment of dialog environments is a means to appreciate diverse opinions and eliminate the stereotypes often assigned to 'others'.
In that respect, PII educates non-Muslims about Islam and Muslims about other faiths to establish mutual understanding and tolerance. To achieve this end, we invite and encourage sharing of various perspectives, partner with other religious and interreligious organizations and organize educational activities such as seminars, lectures and discussion panels, all of which inspire and illuminate us in our endeavor to fulfill our mission.
Aims and Principles
Levent Koç, Ph.D. has been serving as PII's director since 2004.
PII has been listed by Harvard University's pluralism project.