guests,
Welcome to “Tolerance Among the Religions” Meal prepared by Turkish Businesswomen Association (TİKAD). I want to remind you the enlightening words of Rumi who invited thousands of people to his convent with the invitation of “Come again, whatever you are”;

Rumi:    
“THE ONLY THING THAT I KNOW AND BE SURE;
THAT I AM NO CHRISTIAN, NO JEWISH, NO MUSLIM.
I AM NOT OF WINDS, SOIL, FIRE, WATER, BLOOD ON THE EARTH.
I AM NOT OF THE AFTERLIFE, EVE OR ADAM
I AM NOT OF THE HEAVEN GARDEN EITHER
MY PLACE IS HOMELESSNESS.
I AM NOT A SOUL, NOT A BODY, I BELONG TO THE SOUL OF MY LOVE.

How beautiful Rumi told the human and life.
With their expressions, these divine great people who lived many centuries ago tried to tell us that the key of the life is the same although the ages change.
They asked to Prophet Mohammed; what is religious?

1.     He gave the answer of “Morality, morality, morality”.

2.     He answered that “even if the science is in China, go and learn it”.

Ali said “Train your kids according to the time”
Rumi said “Whatever there is regarding the love, I am there.
Whatever there is regarding the war I am not there.” and revealed the values of the life.
Great Leader Atatürk establishing the Republic of Turkey with big struggles attracted attention to the same values with the following words;
“A morality value of a nation cause this nation to develop.
“A nation is evaluated as its morality values, not its richness.”
“The real guidance in the life is the science.”
“I want to see my nation at the level of contemporary civilizations”
“Peace at home peach in the world”.

Yes, if we want to understand these words, I think we will get the keys of the life.
“Science, civilization, peace, love and morality”
Today is the annual date of 11 September America Twin Towers attack. We should once again unite against the terror organizations from whatever nations and religions they are, in the 7^th Year of the Terror attack made to Twin Towers in America. 

As Turkish Businesswomen Association, we act with these philosophies. We are making studies to provide love, peace, science, equitable distribution of income in the whole world and we will continue to realize them. 

I want to invite these beautiful people who are a successful mother, spouse and businesswoman coming together with this aim to your presence.
TİKAD Vice President Demet Sabancı Çetindoğan
TİKAD Vice President Sema Güral Sürmeli
TİKAD Secretary General Zehra Neşe Kavak
TİKAD Chairman of High Consultation Council Deniz Ülke Arıboğan
TİKAD Members of Board of Directors Şükriye Gülden Yılmaz
Müge Sırmabıyık
Dilek Hanif
Esin Güral
Hediye Güral Gür
Suzan Toplusoy
Aslı Akın
Hülya Kalyoncu
Figen Kuzanlı
Sevgi Aksoy
Sevim Uyar
Ceyda Şener
Şebnem Balkan
Tina Christa Sezer
I believe that this group working with love and respect in a team spirit will achieve many things on behalf of humanity. I hope you are sharing the same thought.
As you see, on behalf of TİKAD members who are peaceful to accomplish their missions, I want to end my words with a reminder.
Rumi “NEITHER REMEDY OF THE EXCUSE NOR THE HEAL OF THE MEDICINE CURE THE HEARTBREAK OF THE ONE WHO COULD NOT FULLY ACCOMPLISH HIS/HER MISSION.”