Media relations guru begins movement to educate, build bridges onreligious tolerance

PRN
- GHN News --Given the rising tide of intolerance in the United States a
media relations expert has offered her services free of charge to help
combat the problem.

group called Catalyst Group, with its CEO Leyla Turkkan, a veteran of

the media for 20 years, will be consulting with various organizations to
help build bridges between different religious denominations and to
promote understanding.

"As a first-generation Turkish-American Muslim," stated Turkkan, "I am
saddened by the rhetoric that has taken over the national dialogue about
religion since 9/11. The media does not provide the correct
representation of over a billion peace-loving Muslims in the world.
Therefore, I intend on providing a more accurate portrayal of not only
American Muslims, but all Americans who wish to preserve our identity as
an inclusive society. I believe it is imperative we preserve the rich
tradition of diversity and religious freedom that has always defined
America."

During
her media work, Turkkan has been involved with many influential
individuals and organizations that include UNESCO Good Will Ambassador
and Nobel Prize winnter Rigoberta Menchu, Russel Simmons, Bonnie Raitt,
Bruce Springsteen, author Danny Goldberg and the New York Civil
Liberties Union.

Turkkan
has also been involved in the Tibetan Freedom Concert, the historic
"Stop the Violence Movement," fund-raising efforts for Hurricane Katrina
victims, HIV awareness efforts and voter registration.

In
order to better organize activities, Turkkan is asking media
representatives, organizations and celebrities who are interested in

promoting religious tolerance and understanding to contact the Catalyst Group.