U.S. Members of Congress and Congressional staff, ambassadors, consuls and leaders from Turkic and Eurasian communities in the U.S. came together at Cannon House Office Building, Washington D.C. on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at the "Congressional Friendship Dinner"

Congressional Friendship and Dialog Dinner by the Gülen Institute was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

The iftar dinner began with the opening speech of the CEO of the Gülen Institute, Kemal Oksuz. The dinner has turned to a platform for the promotion of Turkey through the messages of dialog. The participants praised the contributions of the Gülen movement and Fethullah Gülen himself to the world peace.

Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee received a sanding ovation with her speech praising the Gülen Movement which bridges education and brotherhood. The guests who gathered at the iftar dinner from around the states for the first time said that they were happy to make friends and know Ramadan.

Following the dinner which depicted a picture of tolerance, brotherhood, peace messages and dialog, the participants said their view of tolerance and dialog has changed since they met the Gülen Movement.