The Institute of Interfaith Dialog , with sponsorships of Raindrop Turkish House , The Gulen Institute and University of Missouri-
Kansas City, has organized its 6th Annual Dialog and Friendship
Dinner on September 24th, 2009 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, start new
friendships and break down the barriers of stereotypes and
misunderstandings. (September 24, 2009 Kansas City, MO)
Trip
Trip to Turkey 2009 This summer’s tour group included teachers, university
professors and administrators, a seminary librarian and
research director, legislators, a student, a diplomat,
and an orthodontist organised by The Institute of Interfaith Dialog. (See the complete list at the end of this article). The group visited ancient cities; met with professional organizations, businesspeople, teachers, and students; laughed and chatted with Turkish families; and enjoyed the intriguing and delicious Turkish cuisine. The starting and ending place was Istanbul, one
of the world’s great international cities. (Turkey June 2009)
Talk Series
Morning Talk: Internet Safety and How to Protect Our Kids from Internet Dangers We all know that the Internet is an excellent resource for our
kids to learn and to play. But we also know that it can be a
self indulgent use of their time, and an unsafe playground.
Therefore, The Institute of Interfaith Dialog and Raindrop Turkish House hosted a morning talk with Mike Daniels from
Kansas City FBI Field office, the topic presented was Internet
Safety and protecting our children on line. Program started
at 10:00 a.m. with a traditional Turkish breakfast and followed
with Raindrop Turkish House’s director Mr. Murat Tatli’s brief
information speech about Raindrop Turkish House.
(April 4, 2009 Greater Kansas City)
Talk Series
A Common Point Between Religions: "Spirituality" Spiritual Night came out of the desire that as believers of One
Creator how Jews, Christians and Muslims as well as follower of
other religions can come around a table and talk, share and
discuss the common matters that the followers from all Abrahamic faiths believe in, in a most friendly environment without debating with one another but with loving and respecting each other. For this, Institute of Interfaith Dialog and Raindrop Turkish House have organized a "Spiritual Night Talk" (April 2, 2009 Greater Kansas City)
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) hosted Lenexa Chief of Police Ellen T. Hanson and heads of Lenexa Police Departments at Raindrop Turkish House. Chief Hanson’s first visit to the cultural center started with a tour of the newly opened center, and continued with lunch prepared by local Turkish-American familie. After the lunch, Director of Raindrop Cultural center, Murat Tatli, presented a welcome speech and introduced guests about activities and its services to the community. His speech was followed a presantation by IID coordinator Fatih Ozcan. Mr Ozcan gave talk about, Turkey, its culture and how IID serves the Greater Kansas City community. Chief Hanson thanked to IID and Raindrop Executives for hosting and informing her about the Cultural Center.
An islamic perspective, "A muslim cannot be terrorist and a
terrorist cannot be muslim"(Gulen,2002) was analized at Village
University with a presentation of Fatih Ozcan, coordinator for
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog . In 2 weeks classes with
the title of “ Islam as a Religion of Peace” around 30 students
of Village University studied importance of peace effort according to Islamic theology, reasons of terrorism, Islamic perspective on terror issue, women rights in Islam, importance given to dialog by Messenger Muhammed (PBUH), Gulen Movement and its support of contemporary world's peace.
(March 24 and 31, 2009 Greater Kansas City)
Talk Series
Gathering with the Youth group from St. Paul's United Methodist Church The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) gladly hosted the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church youth group for breakfast. Guests included both students and their leader Rev. Dr. Jim Darby. After the breakfast, IID Kansas Representative Fatih Ozcan gave a talk about the basics of Islam, what Muslims believe, and the main practices and holidays of the faith. Guests also had a chance to learn about the culture and traditions of Turkey. The talk was followed by a lively question and answer session. (April 6, 2009 Lenexa, KS)
Social
A Taste From Turkish Culture: Henna Night In any culture the rituals of marriage can bring tears of joy and
sadness. With every welcoming gesture of being part of a new family, there is also a sad farewell to your own family and history. On March 26th a Turkish Bridal Party or Henna Night was Organized by The Institute of Interfaith Dialog at the Raindrop Turkish Cultural Center in Lenexa Kansas. Greater Kansas City experienced a Turkish tradition for celebrating the evening before the wedding. Handmade items were displayed. These gifts from the mother and mother-in-law are seen as examples of the domestic talents of each family. The bride enters the room veiled and sits in the middle of the gathering as a sad story is sung about a young woman who leaves her family to live with her husband. (March 26, 2009 Greater Kansas City)
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog and Raindrop Turkish House in Greater Kansas City Area hosted Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, II 10 days in Turkey, August 13th to 23rd, 2006. Some of the attendees were the Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, II from Missouri's 5th congressional district, Dianne Cleaver, Emmanuel Cleaver, III, Sharon Cleaver, Rev Wallace Hartsfield, Mrs Matilda Hartsfields, Rev. Edward Stevenson, Jane Stevenson, Dr. Myron McCoy, president of St Paul school of Theology, Karen McCoy, Randell Ferguson, Helen Porter, Rev. Robert (Bob) Hill, Community Christian Church, Genaro Ruiz.
Kansas City 
Kansas State Treasurer Dennis McKinney visited Raindrop Turkish House. During his visit to the center, 
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog
This summer’s tour group included teachers, university 
We all know that the Internet is an excellent resource for our 
Spiritual Night came out of the desire that as believers of One 
The Institute of 
An islamic perspective, "A muslim cannot be terrorist and a 
The Institute of 
In any 
The Institute of 
