The American Turkish Friendship Association and the Rumi Forum Thursday night held their second annual Friendship Dinner at the Embassy Suites in Newark.

The theme of the dinner was The Art of Living Together and a number of speakers echoed that theme.

Reciving awards at the event were State Rep. Michael Ramone, R-Newark and outgoing New Castle County Sheriff Michael Walsh. The media award went to Ralph Bush, general manager of the Upper Shore Division for ACM Chesapeake, publisher of the Newark Post.
The keynote address was delivered by New Castle County Council member Lisa Diller, whose district includes Newark. Diller, a former pastor spoke on one of the namesakes of the dinner, Rumi, a Muslim poet, theologian and mystic who lived in the 12th century. His teachings advocated peace and tolerance.

The night ended with a program of Turkish classical music.

Newark Post