In this Issue:
- TASC Hosts Third Annual Turkish Presidential Keynote Address!
- TASC September Events
- Congressional Outreach
- TASC Media Watch
- Upcoming Events
- September Press Releases
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TASC Hosts Third Annual Presidential Keynote Address; Starts Off United Nations
General Assembly Week
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On Sunday, September 22, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke before a full house at the beautiful New York Hilton Midtown Hotel ballroom. Over 2,700 Turkish American and Muslim American community leaders from across the nation joined us for an afternoon of community empowerment ahead of United Nations General Assembly meetings this past week, in which Turkey took an active role. Our other distinguished speakers included Oussama Jamal, Abdel Hafiz, and Imam Siraj Wahhaj.
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The TASC Board of Directors presents President Erdoğan with a plaque in appreciation for global leadership in the fight against Islamophobia, support for diversity and equality, and productive U.S.-Turkish relations.
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Guests were entertained with performances by dancers from the Maarif School in New Jersey, a Kafkas dance group, the Freedom Dabka dance group, and a surprise performance by Mesut Kurtis!
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In addition to our Keynote Address, the afternoon included a private reception for our Turkish American leaders (pictured below), a private luncheon between the Muslim American leaders and President Erdoğan, and a private luncheon between Women leaders and First Lady Emine Erdoğan.
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President Erdoğan addresses over 500 Turkish American leaders at a private reception.
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The President and First Lady each participated in private luncheons with the
Muslim American community leaders.
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Thank you to our two main sponsors, ERG Construction, Sani Erbilgin, and YTB (Yurtdışı Türkler ve Akraba Topluluklar Başkanlığı) for supporting this event. TASC also thanks all of our community members for joining us for such a special evening, and our volunteers and staff members for working tirelessly for the success of the event.
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TASC Holds Meetings Across Mid-Atlantic with Turkish American and Muslim American Leaders
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TASC met with leaders of several Turkish American and Muslim American organizations who are our most important allies in the planning and execution of our very successful Third Annual Turkish Presidential Keynote Address. TASC Co-Chair Dr. Halil Mutlu thanked these organizations for their continued support of TASC and for their help in organizing our largest and most successful Keynote Address to date!
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TASC meets with leaders of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), pictured above, whose members continue to be our strongest supporters and volunteers for our programs.
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Co-Chair Evinch Speaks at World Turkish Business Council Conference, New York City
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TASC Co-Chair Gunay Evinch discussed Turkish American civic empowerment at World Turkish Business Council conference in NYC. Dr. Oz commended Turkey’s AFAD for caring for millions of Syrian refugees.
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Co-Chair Mutlu Meets with Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-5)
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TASC Co-Chair Dr. Halil Mutlu meets with Representative Ilhan Omar, one of the first two female Muslim Representatives elected to Congress. Dr. Mutlu expressed his appreciation for Rep. Omar's continued support for Turkish Americans and Muslim Americans.
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TASC Secretary Oya Bain Meets with
Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-2)
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Secretary Oya Bain met with Rep. Elaine Luria and Rep. Jamie Raskin (not pictured) in an opportunity to talk one-on-one basis with both legislators about the Turkish American community and its strengths and diversity, as well as facilitatte discussions on Turkish American relations and the complexity of the Near East conflicts.
A group of local Turkish American women leaders met with Rep. Luria, who was recently elected in 2018. She is a graduate of U.S. Naval Academy and has served in U.S Navy for 20 years. Rep. Luria understands the importance of the Turkish American alliance and she is a member of the important House Armed Services Committee, which is one of the key committees that oversees the U.S.-Turkey relationship.
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TASC Organizes Rally for Peace & Support Against YPG/PKK Terrorism, Washington, DC
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TASC assembled in support of peace and security in Turkey, unified front against PKK/YPG terror in the region.
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TASC Co-Sponsors Lecture on
Real History of the Trojan War
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TASC and the Biblical Archaeological Society of Northern Virginia (BASONOVA) co-sponsored a lecture by C. Brian Rose, titled, "The Real History of the Trojan War." Rose has done many years of excavating in Troy, Gordion and other areas in Turkey, and informed the audience of over 100 that recent excavations may disprove the Greek version of the Trojan War and Greek presence in Asia Minor.
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TASC Fall Turkish Language Classes in Full Swing!
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The fall semester of TASC free Turkish language classes began a few weeks ago, teaching four levels ranging from Beginner to Intermediate 2. Over 75 students join us each week at the Turkish House. Looking forward to another great semester!
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TASC Represented at Annual Washington, DC Turkish Festival
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On September 29, TASC Programs Director Carri Connor represented TASC at the Washington, DC Turkish Festival, organized by ATA-DC. This festival is attended annually by over 20,000 people, and was a great opportunity to network with local businesses and community organizations, as well as visitors of the festival.
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TASC works with Turkish American grassroots leaders and organizations to advocate for Turkish American interests on Capitol Hill and in State Legislatures. We are currently opposing anti-Turkey Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions (BDS) bills introduced by Armenian nationalists in Massachusetts and California. Recently, our efforts in Nebraska were successful to amend an education bill that threatened to harm Holocaust Studies by erroneously characterizing the Armenian case as a genocide.
If your state legislature or Congressional Representative is introducing or supporting racist or BDS legislation against your Turkish heritage or Turkey, please contact us and we can discuss next steps to help you fight hatred.
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- Support U.S. Azeri Network in opposing Sherman-Cox law that would send taxpayer money to Armenian militia. Sign the petition here.
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- October 26: ATADC Turkish Republic Day Ball in Celebration of the 96th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of Turkey. Follow ATADC on Facebook for tickets and updates.
- October 29: Celebrating Turkish Republic Day!
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September 11: TASC Remembers Victims of 9/11
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TASC remembers the victims of the 9/11 Terror Attack by supporting a "Wreaths Across America” event in Annapolis and 9/11 Remember-Honor-Teach 5K Run/Walk. TASC remembers all victims of International terrorism, stands in solidarity with their families, and seeks justice.
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#GivingTuesday2023
2023 is the 100th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic!
Support the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) on #GivingTuesday, by giving $20.23 weekly or monthly, or with an annual donation of $2023. A modest sacrifice to honor the forefathers and mothers of the Turkish Republic, your gift will help TASC empower the Turkish American community through civic engagement education and training, and project a unified voice on issues important to Turkish Americans.
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Alternatively,
Checks payable to:
Turkish American National Steering Committee
The Washington Turkish House
1526 18th Street NW
Washington DC 20036
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Produced by Carri Connor, TASC Programs Director
Interested in participating as a speaker in our Embassy Row Lecture Series,
or have program ideas for TASC?
Email me at cconnor@ourtasc.org
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