On February 4, 2012, The Institute of Interfaith Dialog in conjunction with Raindrop Turkish House in Lenexa sponsored a lecture and discussion on the principles and teachings of Universal Sufism conducted by Ira Sirkar Harritt.  Mr. Harritt has been a student of Sufism since 1975 and is an initiate in the lineage of Hazrat Inayat Khan in the Sufi Order International as well as a leader of Dances of Universal Peace with the Kansas City Shining Heart Sufi Community and the KC Program Coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker-based peace and justice organization.  The audience, numbering more than 30, represented a broad cross section of professions and vocations, many from academic backgrounds. (February 4, 2012 Lenexa, KS)

Anniversaries of special events have a life and impact that go beyond the actual dates themselves. Many are specific to individual families: wedding anniversaries; birthdays; memorials of the deaths of loved ones. Various nations also have various special dates that are prominent in their corporate memories and celebrations. Cinco de Mayo in Mexico celebrates an unlikely victory over French colonial troops by the Mexican Army in 1862. Indonesia's Proklamasi, celebrated on August 17, is the date in 1945 when the armed resistance to the colonial Dutch regime was begun. (September 22, 2011 Kansas City, MO)

The Institute of Interfaith Dialog and the Office of Diversity and Access at UMKC along with Raindrop Turkish House held its 8th Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinner on November 9, 2011 at the University’s sparkling new Student Union to promote mutual understanding, friendship, and reiterate the importance of common human values in pursuing peace among all humanity.   (November 9, 2011 Kansas City, MO)

On November 18th, 2010, The Institute of Interfaith Dialog and the Office of Diversity and Access at UMKC along with Raindrop Turkish House held the 7th Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinner to promote mutual understanding, friendship, and reiterate the importance of common human values in pursuing peace among all humanity. The event took place at UMKC Pierson Auditorium.

Around 250 distinguished guests consisted of Senators, State Representatives, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, City Prosecutors, Academicians, Pastors and Mayors participated to the dinner and shared their tables with one another. It was a successful event where everybody could get to know each other; attendees had a chance to start new friendships and break down the barriers of stereotypes and misunderstandings. Dinner started by an introduction speech by Welcome speech by Karen Dace, Ph.D. - Deputy Chancellor, Division of Diversity, Access and Equity at University of Missouri-Kansas Cityand continued with an Introduction Speech by Greg Rieke -Director of IID Advisory Board.