The Rumi Forum joined up with Ambassador David Shin to discuss his latest book: “Hizmet in Africa: The Activities and Significance of the Gulen Movement” and its implications on November 24, 2015. 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015

6:30 PM- 8:00 PM

at American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA)

 3949 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030

Free and Open to the Public – Registration Required

Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 PM and the discussion will begin at 7:00 PM

On November 24, 2015, Ambassador David Shin talked about his recent book, “Hizmet in Africa: The Activities and Significance of the Gulen Movement” during a panel hosted by Rumi Forum at the American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA). At this talk, the Ambassador spoke on the different chapters contained in his book and the topics that they touched on, as well as answered several questions regarding the book and the book’s topic.

The panel was opened by Emre Celik who is the President and CEO of Rumi Forum. Ambassador David Shin wrote the book as a result of several visits to many parts of Africa and as a project that he started as a result ofPresident Emre Celik’s suggestion. Throughout the research for the book, both President Emre Celik and Ambassador David Shin traveled to Turkey and Africa together many times. Even so, the writing and the editing of the book was the work of Ambassador David Shin, though with the help of President Emre Celik of Rumi Forum.

Some of the subjects that were touched on were the building and funding of schools in Africa that focused on a Hizmet inspired curriculum, the areas in which the Hizmet movement had large and small successes throughout Africa as well as the African government’s response to the Hizmet movement. The Ambassador also touched on the African people’s response to increased Turkish involvement in Africa as well as some of the possible reasons for the Hizmet movement’s popularity in some parts of Africa versus a more limited popularity in other parts.