The Institute of Interfaith Dialog organized a panel discussion on Islam and Democracy. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Lynn Mitchell,and the panelists were
 
1-) Dr. Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri, President, University of Indonesia
2-) Dr. Adem Akinci, Religion Consultant, IID
3-) Dr. Nasaruddun Umar, Assistant Secretary, Department of Religious Affairs
4-) Dr. Ali Unsal, Director, Fethullah gulen Chair at Jakarta State Islamic University

The Institute of Interfaith Dialog, in collaboration with the Gulen Institute , organized the third Annual Fellow Travelers' Reunion Dinner.  Travelers shared their memories while enjoying the Turkish Couisine. Dr. James Thurmond, Ms. Kristina Coleman and Ms. Ellen McDonald shared their personal memories with other travelers. Dr. Rogelio Contreras and Students from UST Micro Credit Program talked about their recent trip to Turkey and their cooperation with the Institute of Interfaith Dialog.  Dinner ended with a live music  performance. Guests enjoyed the beauty of the Turkish Classical Music Instrument, Reed Flute.

On Monday, April 12, Houston was the home to an important event. Invited by the Gulen Institute, a joint initiative of The Institute of Interfaith Dialog and University of Houston College of Social Work, Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations between 1997 and 2006, addressed to a distinguished audience at Hyatt Regency Downtown.

The MC of the program was Melissa Wilson, news anchorwoman form Fox 26. Dr. Colby, the Dean of Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston, made the welcome speech on behalf of the Gulen Institute.

Former Secretary General of the United Nations Hon. Kofi Annan visited our institute. Mr. Kofi Annan was invited to speak at a special Luncheon Forum organized by the Gulen Institute. After the luncheon program Mr. Annan visited the Institute of Interfaith Dialog and learned more about our programs. Mr. Kofi Annan was given a brief presentation about the mission and vision of our institute and our activities.

The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) held the 3rd Dinner of Abrahamic Traditions on February 25, 2010 with the participation of 210 people including but not limited to community leaders, academicians and other distinguished guests. The dinner was followed by a splendid panel discussion entitled “Women in Abrahamic Traditions”. The three panelists were Rabbi Judith Z. Abrams of the Maqom School for Talmud Study, Bishop Janice R. Hui of Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), and Ayse K. Coskun of Yale School of Medicine and Hartford Seminary Islamic Studies and Christian Muslim Relations.

The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) was the home for the first public screening of the documentary: " Different Books, Common Word:Baptists and Muslims". The documentary features five different stories that show how interfaith dialog between baptists and muslims can be put into practice. Dr. Robert Parham, the Executive Director of the Ethicsdaily.com and the Co-producer of the documentary, talked about what the motivation for such a documentary was and how it all started in his opening remarks.

The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) was honored to have its 7th Annual Dialog & Friendship Dinner on November 24th, 2009. At this unique event, the leading institutions in Houston including Houston Police Department, Rice University, University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, FBI, South Asian Chamber of Commerce, Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce, US Customs and Border Protection and 68 other institutions and congregations became one voice to strengthen friendship in our community. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Representatives Alma Allen and Dora Olivo, Consul Generals of UK, Turkey, Switzerland and Norway were also present along with 380 distinguished guests to show their support to dialog and friendship in the community. The event was co-sponsored by the Gulen Institute and Raindrop Turkish House.