A Turkish proverb states that “a cup of coffee has a memory of forty years” Kansas City area Turkish-American and American Ladies came together to establish friendship of years at the “Turkish Coffee Night" on February 19, 2009. It was also the month that Massenger Noah's (PBUH) ark landed on the mountain called “Ararat”. In “Turkish Coffee Night Program” that The Institute of Interfaith Dialog  (IID) hosted at the Rain Drop Turkish Cultural Center in Lenexa, Kansas, Turkish-American and American Ladies celebrated their month of Muharram by sharing the Noah’s story and pudding. In the Quran, food became scarce during the long tumultuous journey on Noah’s Ark. (February 19, 2009 Lenexa, KS)

Overland Park Chief of Police Department John Douglas received The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID)  Local Representative and Volunteers in his office. During the visit, a deep and sincere conversation was taken by both parties. Mr. Fatih Ozcan, Local Area Representative of IID, thanked him for being in support of dialog activities, mentioned about the importance of working together and mentioned about upcoming events. Mr. Douglas welcomed IID volunteers and expressed his willingness to be part of IID activities by saying that I will be pleased to speak in your programs and especially if there is need in Turkish community to know local laws I will be ready to give speech. (Overlan Park, KS, March 26, 2008)

Shawnee, KS, November 2007

Shawnee Park Christian Church community hosted  The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) volunteers at their church for Thanksgiving celebration. Turkish students and families from Kansas City and Lawrence, for the second time enjoined hospitality and friendship of Rev. Ed Stevenson and his congregation. The night started with a cultural exhibition which was organized by the Shawnee Park Christian Church community and continued with potluck dinner. The church community and Turkish guests had a chance to chat and share their food and ideas with Shawnee Christian congregation. During the dinner, Rev. Ed Stevenson welcomed everybody with his warm and kind speech. The nigh ended with group pictures and good wishes.

At the Marriott Country Club Plaza brought together about 200 people of various faiths and professions who joined the iftar, the meal taken by Muslims to break fasting during Ramadan.The Institute of Interfaith Dialog promotes compassion, cooperation and partnership through interfaith dialogue and conversation.