Rumi Forum

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The fourth gathering of the Burke-Springfield faith250 cluster was held at the Abiding Presence Lutheran Church this week. The evening brought together neighbors from diverse faith communities to reflect on the values and ideals that continue to shape our common life as we approach America’s 250th anniversary. faith250 invites congregations to serve as sacred spaces for listening across differences, strengthening relationships, and exploring the shared civic values that bind us together as one people. In a time of polarization and division, these conversations remind us that our differences need not separate us; rather, they can become opportunities for learning, empathy, and a renewed commitment to the common good. We are grateful to all who joined us and contributed their voices, stories, and insights! #Faith250 #America250 #HizmetCares

Rumi Forum's Center for Faith, Identity, and Globalization is pleased to release its latest publication by our 2026 Hizmet Scholar, Semih Kıyma, titled “Enduring Persecution: A Theo-Ethical Framework in Fethullah Gülen’s Post-2016 Discourse.” Drawing on an in-depth analysis of 160 of Fethullah Gülen’s video speeches, Semih's paper explores how Gülen interpreted suffering, persecution, and moral responsibility in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 "coup attempt" in Turkey and the subsequent crackdown on the Hizmet Movement. The paper situates these discussions within broader conversations on Islamic ethics, nonviolent resistance, and religious responses to state persecution. It also examines how theological narratives can shape communal behavior during periods of crisis—particularly whether suffering becomes a justification for retaliation and repression or instead a call to moral discipline, patience, and resilience. Read the full paper here, rumiforum.org/wp-content/upl…

What an inspiring evening on May 1! Our screening of The Sultan and The Saint at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle brought together voices from different backgrounds to reflect on faith, dialogue, and peace. Grateful for the conversations and connections that continue beyond the film. Special thanks to the Cathedral of St. Matthew Social Justice and Community Service Committee and the St. Anthony of Nagasaki Secular Franciscan Fraternity for their partnership and support. #InterfaithDialogue #Community #FaithInAction #Peace #Dialogue #HizmetCares

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National Day of Prayer virtual event - Thursday, May 7 Join this meaningful observance of the National Day of Prayer hosted by @braverangels, bringing together voices from diverse backgrounds for a thoughtful reflection on faith, civic life, and shared values. This special event will include a reflection on the Gettysburg Address and its enduring moral vision—inviting participants to consider how faith and civic responsibility intersect in today’s polarized moment. 🔗 Register here: eventbrite.com/e/national-day… #NationalDayofPrayer #FaithInAction #America250

Grateful for an evening that truly embodied the spirit of interfaith dialogue and community ✨ Rumi Forum was honored to take part in the Potluck Project’s DC gathering held on April 23 at Friends Meeting of Washington. Bringing together members of different faith communities, this gathering created a warm and welcoming space for meaningful connection. We look forward to continuing this momentum—creating more spaces where dialogue can flourish and communities can come together in meaningful ways. #InterfaithDialogue #CommunityBuilding #PotluckProject #WashingtonDC #FaithInAction

The third gathering of our faith250 cluster was held at St. Peter's in the Woods Episcopal Church. We are so grateful for a meaningful faith250 gathering centered on America the Beautiful—a text that invites us to reflect not only on the physical beauty of our nation, but also on its moral aspirations.🇺🇸 Together, participants engaged questions of brotherhood, self-reflection, and the ongoing work of “mending America’s flaws,” exploring how these ideals continue to shape our shared civic life. We closed the evening by lifting our voices together in America the Beautiful—a powerful reminder that even in a polarized moment, there remains a deep longing for unity, grace, and a renewed sense of civic belonging. #America250 #Civility #Dialogue #Interfaith #HizmetCares

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As we conclude the Scriptural Reasoning series of the 2025–2026 season, we’re grateful for another year of meaningful monthly gatherings that brought people of different faiths together in shared reflection and dialogue. Thank you to all who joined us throughout the year—your presence and engagement made this journey possible. Special thanks to @RoseCastleUK for their content support, and to @VTS_Seminary for their hospitality. We’ll be taking a short summer break, but stay tuned for a new season of Scriptural Reasoning this fall. We look forward to continuing these conversations with you! #interfaith #abrahamic #scriptures #hizmetcares

Wishing a joyful and meaningful Easter to all who celebrate! Easter is a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings—a reminder of the enduring power of faith, compassion, and reconciliation. As communities gather in celebration, may this season inspire us to nurture understanding, extend grace, and strengthen the bonds that unite us across traditions. #happyeaster #easterweekend

Chag Sameach! As our Jewish friends and neighbors celebrate Passover, we join in honoring this sacred time of remembrance, renewal, and liberation. Passover’s story—of resilience, faith, and the pursuit of freedom—continues to resonate across traditions, inviting us all to reflect on the meaning of justice, dignity, and human solidarity in our shared world. May this season inspire deeper empathy, meaningful dialogue, and a renewed commitment to building a more compassionate and inclusive society. #Passover

📖Scriptural Reasoning: Clothing & Modesty How do Abrahamic scriptures approach clothing and modesty? Join us at @VTS_Seminary or online for our next Scriptural Reasoning session as we explore this theme through the scriptures of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—engaging in thoughtful dialogue across traditions and perspectives. 🗓 Thursday, April 9 🕡 6:30 – 8:00 PM 📍 Virginia Theological Seminary or online Scriptural Reasoning is a space for shared reading, reflection, and conversation—where participants encounter one another’s texts with curiosity, respect, and openness, deepening both understanding and relationships across faiths. All are welcome!—whether you’re new to interfaith dialogue or a longtime participant. Register and learn more, eventbrite.com/e/rumi-forum-s… #InterfaithDialogue #Scriptures #HizmetCares

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Join communicators, faith leaders, and community partners for the 2026 Religion Communicators Council Convention, “Coming Together, Charting Our Course”, in Cincinnati, April 16–18, 2026. @ReligionComm This is your chance to sharpen your skills, hear inspiring keynotes, and connect with colleagues who are shaping the future of faith-based communication. Learn more and register: religioncommunicators.org/convention-202…

In his recent @washingtonpost feature about the latest #faith250 gathering in Northern Virginia, Dana Milbank @Milbank offers a powerful reminder: even in a polarized moment, spaces of dialogue, reflection, and shared civic purpose are still possible. washingtonpost.com/religion/2026/… Faith250 is an emerging initiative that brings together people of different faiths and perspectives to engage foundational texts such as the Declaration of Independence—not as political tools, but as shared moral reference points. Through gatherings centered on listening, mutual respect, and thoughtful dialogue, Faith250 seeks to renew a sense of shared civic responsibility as our nation approaches its historic 250th anniversary. Visit the link to learn more: faith250.org #America250 #HizmetCares

Eid Mubarak! As we mark the end of Ramadan, we extend our warmest wishes to all who celebrate. May this Eid bring peace, joy, and renewed hope to you and your loved ones. In a world often marked by division, may the spirit of Eid inspire us to continue building bridges, nurturing compassion, and strengthening the bonds that unite us. #EidMubarak

Religious Freedom Community Iftar Rumi Forum concluded its Ramadan 2026 programs with a special Religious Freedom Community Iftar, co-hosted in partnership with the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit @IRFSummit and the National Museum of American Religion. Bringing together advocates from a wide range of institutions and backgrounds, the evening offered a meaningful space to break bread and reaffirm a shared commitment to advancing religious freedom for all. We are grateful to all who joined us in this spirit of unity and shared purpose and to @FoleyandLardner for their hospitality. #Ramadan #ReligiousFreedom #HizmetCares

Faith & Depolarization — Panel & Iftar Rumi Forum and @braverangels co-hosted a Panel and Iftar event on the theme “Faith and Depolarization,”situated within the broader context of the 250th anniversary of American independence. The evening brought together people from across faith, civic, and community spaces to share a Ramadan meal and to discuss what constructive engagement across differences can look like in practice. Panelists explored how faith communities and civic leaders can help renew the civic fabric of our nation—strengthening habits of dialogue, principled pluralism, and shared responsibility in a polarized moment. Heartfelt thanks to our moderator @randylioz and our panelists @carriesheffield, Jason Palmer, and Ray Kim! #Ramadan #Iftar #America250 #HizmetCares

Each Ramadan, Rumi Forum gathers friends and partners from across the DC community to share an evening of hospitality and reflection. Our annual iftar is more than a meal — it is a reminder that dialogue, friendship, and understanding often begin around the table. This year’s gathering also reflected on the 250th anniversary of the United States, inviting participants to consider how the nation’s ideals of liberty and pluralism continue to call us to build a more inclusive and compassionate civic life. We were honored to hear thoughtful guest remarks from Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi and Chandra Whetstine, who reflected on the evening’s theme. We are grateful to all who joined us to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan together. #Ramadan #Iftar #Community #America250 🇺🇸