The Muslim and Multicultural Dialogue Groups held an informative and forward-thinking dinner Sunday, complete with speakers from varying faiths and backgrounds.

Titled the Annual Dialogue Dinner, the first meeting was held at Sher-E-Punjab Indian restaurant on Kenny Road. More than 100 patrons attended the affair, including OSU students and professors, and community residents.

Organizers Oguz Kurt, president of the Multicultural Dialogue Group, and Okan Cakir, president of Muslim Dialogue Club, were both nervous and excited about the function.

“It is our first effort and we were worried everything would fall apart,” Kurt said.

The dinner had been on the list of things to do since the Multicultural Dialogue Group was founded three years ago, and especially following the Sept. 11 attacks. The purpose of the group is to establish an environment where people can correct misconceptions pertaining to each other’s cultures and religions Kurt said.

In conjunction with the Multicultural Dialogue Group, the Muslim Dialogue Club has similar goals with an emphasis on clearing up misconceptions about Islam within society.

“In the midst of the conflicts around the world, particularly in the Middle East, open dialogue is the key to resolving these conflicts, and to creating understanding and peace between peoples of different cultures,” Cakir said.

Following opening prayers from the featured speakers, a buffet-style meal was served allowing the attendees to eat and converse, sharing their backgrounds and why they happened to be at the meeting.

Osman Topac, a volunteer for the groups, ate his dinner and attempted to feed his 18-month-old some rice. He is a doctoral student in foreign language education and has lived in Columbus for five years since his arrival from Turkey.

“I am enjoying my experience here with my wife and son, and am looking forward to returning to Turkey to pay back my scholarship by working for the Ministry of Education,” Topac said.

Following dinner, four speakers were given the floor to talk a bit about their particular faith, its role in the world, and some current issues facing their religion as well as how those connected to turmoil across the globe.

First to speak was Rev. Chris Martin speaking on behalf of Christianity. He spoke on how some self-righteous Christians are giving the faith a bad name and how humility is missing from many followers.

“We all must continue to be seekers of truth, and realize the word of God has been heard by people of different faiths at all different times,” Martin said.

He stressed understanding and open-mindedness and commended the organizers, acknowledged his fellow speakers, and thanked the speakers for the conversations they shared during the meal.

Following Martin was Rabbi Misha Zinkow from Hillel. The Rabbi discussed how the Jewish community has the perspective of those who have been persecuted and could relate to the strife of the Islamic community here in the United States as well as in the Middle East. He also spoke on the similarities between the sacred texts alluding to mirroring stories present in multiple religions.

The concluding two speakers were Hari Bhakta and a Mr. Muhamud, both present to elaborate on the Muslim culture and religion. Their ideals and values were peaceful and universal. They gave insight into why extremist members of any religion can misconstrue the public’s opinion on exactly what a certain faith stands for.

Bhakta spoke on the universal entity known as the human soul and how the vehicle for that soul is unimportant.

“Cleaning a golden cage that houses a beautiful bird is pointless if you do not feed the bird. The same is true for a human, if you do not nourish the inner-self simply concerning yourself with material things, you are missing the point,” Bhakta said.

The striking thing about all the speakers was the fact that all their separate thoughts and ideas seemed to be part of a larger speech. Each had different means of expressing what they wanted to convey, yet the message and goal was the same; understanding and acceptance.

The organizers of the event are looking forward to next year, and with the success and impact of the initial gathering, these dialog dinners should continue for many years to come.

“We just feel this country is the only place where people of these separate religions can come together in a peaceful light and discuss their differences and move forward,” Kurt said. “We just want to be a part of something positive and hope others will join.”

In continuance of this event, the Muslim Dialogue Club will sponsor a lecture series by speaker Jeffrey Lang this weekend. Lang will speak at 7 p.m. tomorrow in Independence Hall on the “Journey to Islam in America.” He will also lead a “Critique of the American Muslim Da’wa at 10 a.m. Saturday in Independence Hall. All are invited to the lectures.