Shape the Debate

I would like to thank the trustees and Sacred Heart University for the great privilege of receiving this honorary doctoral degree. It is actually very, very hard for me to believe that I am here today. As a person who started as a refugee with his family many years back, ended up in New York at the age of 20, and, like many of you, worked during the day and went to school at night, it is truly wonderful to be so recognized now. As we move forward as a society, I believe that it is important that all of us help shape the debate. We have to help shape the debate for the attributes that all of our religions teach: attributes of peace, of love, and of justice. Because if we do not do that, people with louder voices take over. It is very critical that we all share that responsibility to further religious values in society.

Mr. Farooq Kathwari, Chairman, President and CEO of Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

Farooq Kathwari received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. In addition to leading the turnaround of one of America’s best known brands, he chairs such critical efforts as Refugees International and the Kashmir Study Group.

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