Special Agent in Charge of Norfolk FBI is Recognized for Community Engagement

The Rumi Forum Foundation of Hampton Roads honored Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Alex J. Turner on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, as the recipient of the Commitment to Community Engagement Award during the Sixth Annual Inter-Cultural Dialog Dinner and Award Ceremony at the Virginia Beach Westin Hotel.

Each year, extraordinary individuals and organizations who have greatly contributed their time, energy, leadership, and dedication to the cause of dialogue, peace, community service, and understanding are recognized for their efforts. This year’s award recipients included SAC Turner, as well as Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg of Ohef Sholom Temple, Imam Vernon Fareed of Masjid William Salaam, and Ms. Cathy Lewis of WHRO.

“This award represents the total effort of all of the men and women of the Norfolk Field Office of the FBI to achieve our goal to engage the rich and diverse communities of the Tidewater area. Through our community engagement, we hope to serve to educate our communities of the threats that exist in our area and join as partners in working with our youth, reducing violence, preserving peace, and preventing terrorism,” stated SAC Turner.

Rumi Forum was founded in 1999 with the mission to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue, stimulate thinking and exchange of opinions on supporting and fostering democracy and peace all over the world, and to provide a common platform for education and information exchange.

Approximately 100 attendees gathered in the Monarch Ballroom of the Virginia Beach Westin to “contribute to a peaceful coexistence of the adherents of different faiths, cultures, ethnicities and races,” the principal goal of the Rumi Forum Foundation.