We as Rumi Forum have a goal of a better world indulged with love and tolerance. And this goal would be achieved by discussing and brainstorming of ways and means which lead to it. Universities and professors are vital part of reaching that ideal. Therefore, working with prominent universities and scholars, we hope to find better ways and means to the world in peace, tolerance and love.

In this section, you will find some of our activities in conjunction with different scholars and higher educational institutions on various subjects.

RUMIFORUM AT GEORGETOWN October 19, 2005

Subject: Interfaith dialoge in the text of Michael Ipgrave's Book "Bearing the Word "
Date/Time: Wednesday, October 19, 5:30-7:30.
Location: Haly Hall, 48 Philodemic Room, Georgetown University
Event type: Seminar [invitation only]

RUMIFORUM AT GEORGETOWN May 10, 2005

Subject: Peace and Nonviolence in the Christian tradition
Date/Time: May 10, 2005 (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Location: Gervase Hall; Conference Room no 101, Georgetown University
Event type: Seminar

The second of the Rumi Forum at Georgetown Seminar Series took place at Georgetown University Gervase Hall on May 10th 2005. Fr.Thomas Schubeck, a visiting fellow at Georgetown who is writing a book on peace and nonviolence in the Christian tradition has presented his remaekrs on the Dr.Kadayisci’s paper and gave speech on his paper. Among the participants were theologians, Jesuit priests, Islamic intellectuals, Middle East Experts, journalists, and graduate students from distinguished schools of Washington DC Metropolitan area. To mention some of the high caliber participants of the seminar that John Borelli from Georgetown president's office chaired; Chester Gillis, Chairman of the Theology department, Fr. Sidney Griffith, S.T. of The Catholic University, Fr. John Hugely, S.J. of Woodstock Theological Center, Ahmad Dallal Chairman of Islamic studies.

Please click here to see/download the Fr.Thomas Schubeck's paper.
Please click here to see/download the Dr. Ayse Kadayifci's paper.

RUMI FORUM AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA (CUA)
April 21, 2005

Organizer: Rumi Forum & Semitics Department of CUA
Event Name: Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Subject: Prophet Muhammad and the Foundations of Sufism
Date/Time: 04-21-2005 (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Location: Hannan Hall, Room No: 108, Catholic University of America

On April 21st, more than 100 academicians gathered at Hannan Hall, Catholic University of America for the Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Birthday. Dr. Hakki Ocal made the opening speech about the importance of the day and background of Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Distinguish Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr gave speech on Prophet Muhammad and the Foundations of Sufism. He mentioned the fact that, to understand the life of the prophet Mohammad, one has to go through experience by following his footsteps. He can find that, His (pbuh) teachings as fresh as it was original delivered by Himself. Ali Unsal recited some verses form Quran, a power point presentation on the meaning of the verses was reflected to the board simultaneously. The participants had a chance to socialize and acquaint themselves with one another while enjoying the rich refreshments.

To see the pictures from this event please click on the following thumbnails.

RUMIFORUM AT GEORGETOWN
April 12, 2005

Subject: Religion, Violence and the Islamic Tradition of Nonviolence
Date/Time: 04-12-2005 (5:30pm to 7:00pm)
Location: Gervase Hall; Conference Room no 101
Event type: Seminar

The first of the Rumi Forum at Georgetown Seminar Series took place at Georgetown University Gervase Hall on April 12th 2005. Dr. Ayse Kadayifci of American University Conflict Resolution Studies presented her paper on "Religion, Violence, and Islamic Tradition of Non-Violence" and shared her experience as she encountered during her field research in conflicted regions of the Middle East. She argued that religious non-violence is a natural, as well as unfortunate, outcome of misinterpretation of religious texts. It was also concluded that religious radicalism could be countered by promoting moderate interpretation of religious texts and by forging dialogue between the peoples of different faiths. Among the participants were theologians, Jesuit priests, Islamic intellectuals, Middle East Experts, journalists, and graduate students from distinguished schools of Washington DC Metropolitan area. To mention some of the high caliber participants of the seminar that John Borelli from Georgetown president's office chaired; Chester Gillis, Chairman of the Theology department, Fr. Sidney Griffith, S.T. of The Catholic University, Fr. John Hugely, S.J. of Woodstock Theological Center, Ahmad Dallal Chairman of Islamic studies.

The diversity of the participants signified the necessity of further dialogue among faiths, and timeliness of such an event.

To see the picture from this event please click on the following thumbnail.

Panel-"The Necessity of Interfaith Dialog"
February 3, 2005

On Thursday, February 3, 2005 at 6:00pm, Rumi Forum president, Prof. H. Ali Yurtsever, and the other invited speakers- Pastor William Harrell , Immanuel Presbyterian Church and Dr. Lawrence Arthur Forman , Rabbi Emeritus, Ohef Shalom Temple- discussed the topic: "The Necessity of Dialogue" at Old Dominion University . This panel was organized by the Better Understanding Club at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.