The 2013 Annual Friendship Dinner & Awards Ceremony of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, Oklahoma City took place on April 4,2013. The event was held in Petroleum Club, Oklahoma City. The dinner gathered about two hundred and seventy five people most of whom were State elected and appointed officials, businessmen and volunteers of nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Hakan Yavuz has met his readers for a book signing event hosted by the Institute of Interfaith Dialog in Houston. Before signing his books, Dr. Yavuz shared his insights about Mr. Fethullah Gulen and people and world-wide activities inspired by him. After his presentation, Dr. Yavuz received questions from the readers and two academicians who have published books about Mr. Gulen and the movement. Dr. Harrington and Dr. Koc commented about his analysis of the movement and Islamic world in general.
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog-Houston organized the award ceremony for the Art of Friendship Contest this past Saturday from 1-3pm in the Istanbul Conference Center in honor of the top 10 middle school and top 10 high school selections. Each winning student was presented with an honorary certificate as well as prizes that ranged from gift cards to Hobby Lobby to a new Apple Ipad.
IID Houston branch initiated its "Uptown Talk Series" on March 21, 2013. Uptown Talk Series is a venue to bridge leadership of Houston with the Greater Houston community around the topics including dialog, community work, education, and art among others.
The first speaker of the series was Mr. Gary Tinterow.
"The Institute of Interfaith Dialog joins the Catholic community in welcoming the election of Pope Francis as the Bishop of Rome and as a beacon of the simplicity, tenderness and brotherhood that Francis modeled for the entire world. History recalls the respectful and warm relationship that developed between Francis and the Muslim Sultan during their extended visit with one another. We trust that that relationship will serve to deepen the fraternal relationship between Muslims and Christians and be a model of the love, respect, peace and justice for which the world yearns."
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog and the Alliance for Shared Values (www.afsv.org) where IID is a member, condemn the terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. It was a senseless act of violence that accomplished nothing more than the infliction of unbearable pain on victims and their families.
We offer our condolences and prayers for those affected by this senseless act of violence.
Ali R. Candir
Executive Director
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog
