MARCH 22, 2010 — You might not think that someone in Charleston would get passionate talking about the country of Turkey, but that’s exactly what Sheriff Al Cannon did Thursday night during a special dinner at the Francis Marion Hotel.

Several Charleston County officials — council members Teddie Pryor and Henry Darby, Clerk of Court Julie Armstrong, Coroner Rae Wooten and Chief Deputy Mitch Lucas — joined 100 others in an evening of making new Turkish friends and learning about Turkish culture.

One way of promoting friendship between the two countries is a contest that will be unveiled later this year by Istanbul Center, a nonprofit based in Georgia. In the coming months, it plans to sponsor an art and essay contest for South Carolina students. Winners will get free trips to Turkey.

Istanbul Center’s Umit Goker told the Charleston audience Thursday night that in as the world has become a global village, it’s important than ever for countries with similar interests and bonds to revisit how they can be better neighbors, even if they’re separated by an ocean.

Differences between countries, he said, can only be solved by investing in human beings. “Shortcuts are not our best bet,” he said. “Sometimes they may do more harm than good.”

Cannon

Cannon, who visited Turkey last July on a tour by Istanbul Center, said there was no more important time for America to engage with Turkey, a secular democracy that serves as a strong American link between the Western world and Middle East.

“It is a memorable place and the people are reasonable,” said the sheriff, recalling the warmth and friendliness he found throughout Turkey. “We live in peculiar times. We need to be interacting with our neighbors, wherever they might be, and Turkey should be on the top of that list.”

Cannon highlighted how Turkey, a cultural crossroads that has served as an important home for Muslims, Christians and Jews, is booming.

Guests at Istanbul Center’s dinner also enjoyed a demonstration by a Turkish artist of the art of ebru, or paper marbling, as depicted above.

The nation’s gross domestic product has jumped from $267 billion in 2000 to more than $800 billion last year, Cannon noted. It is home to major international contractors and is a major producer of cars for Europe. Turkey is also building a 320-mile high-speed rail network that is about 40 percent complete. It’s 13th in the world in expressways and registered cell phones. And it’s 15th in the world in Internet users.

“It’s been my experience that people tend to fear what they know little about,” Cannon said, reflecting that his trip to Turkey provided some awe-inspiring moments and generated friendships he’ll keep forever.

“The more you talk with someone, the more you learn about them,” the sheriff said. “We certainly do not live on an island. There is no greater time or need to search out kindred spirits to make the world a better place.”

The folks from Istanbul Center made quite an impression on those in attendance at the dinner, which included some tasty baklava, and opened many eyes to the Turkish people’s freedom-loving spirit and desire for goodwill.

Andy Brack is publisher of CharlestonCurrents. He can be reached at publisher@charlestoncurrents.com.