(Video Duration: 3 mins. 39 secs.)
Fethullah Gulen extended his congratulations to the organizers and the recipients of the Niagara Peace & Dialogue Awards for their dedication to a great cause.
The event which took place at the University Club of Chicago, kicked off with a reception for the distinguished guests from academia, media, politics and fine arts.
CBS2 TV News Anchor Warner Saunders along with Kristyn Hartman were among the first to take the stage where they expressed their delight in living in a multicultural environment with many different people from all around the world.
The dean of the theology department of the University of Chicago, Prof. Dr. Richard Rosengarten, who was also the honorary host of the event, greeted the guests and read the message sent by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen.
In his message Gulen said…:
"The individuals whose dedication and devotion to doing good and serving others neither seek nor expect recognition or praise in living lives of unparalleled sacrifice for the greater good of humanity. Yet, it is their example and work that is steadily laying the groundwork for peace on earth in the foreseeable future."
"They stand for the highest ideals, bearing burdens, and bringing hope to us all in our communities. We, as the larger community, wish not only to publicize but also to honor those individuals or groups whose untiring efforts in working toward dialog and peace exemplify the true meaning of education, interfaith dialog, community service and peace."
Later, recipients of the Peace & Dialogue Awards 2008 were presented their awards for their time, energy, leadership, and dedication to the cause of dialog, peace and tolerance.
