Rumi Forum

Eid al-Adha reminds us of the enduring values of faith, sacrifice, gratitude, generosity, and care for one another.

We extend our warmest wishes to all observing this sacred occasion!

On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this day also invites us to reflect on the ideals, sacrifices, and shared responsibilities that continue to shape our common life as a nation.

May this milestone anniversary become an opportunity to renew our commitment to one another and to the values that strengthen our civic life: dignity, compassion, service, and the common good.

We were delighted to host the fourth gathering of the Burke-Springfield faith250 cluster was held at the 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!

Rumi Forum's Center for Faith, Identity, and Globalization is pleased to release its latest publication by our 2026 Hizmet Scholar, Semih Kiyma, 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,https://rumiforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Enduring-Persecution.pdf

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.

National Day of Prayer virtual event - Thursday, May 7

Join this meaningful observance of the National Day of Prayer hosted by Braver Angels, 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: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-day-of-prayer-registration-1986908452668

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.

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.