The Institute of Interfaith Dialog organized Dialog and Friendship Dinner on March 5th, 2012 in Laredo, TX.The event's theme was "Promoting the Common Good in Our Communities". The dinner took place in Texas A&M International University Ballroom and a number of distinguished guests,

IID Corpus Christi had its first "Open House and Welcome Reception" for its new volunteers in the new year. The program emceed and organized by Fr. Bruce Wilson and Ana Billeaux featured encouraging remarks and informative speeches from Loree Svadlenak, Rabbi Kenneth Roseman, Katy Kiser and Bora Karayaka. The guests were pretty prompt to emphasize their intentions to involve with various IID activities and had great suggestions and ideas such as:

1. Work with youth groups – build a "youth group" within IID to secure the future and carry the torch.

2. Learning about each other's religions.

3. Understanding each other on the basis of culture and traditions, know us as people first and then delving into religion.

4. Alliance with churches/other venues to find a meeting place

5. Fundraising tips.

(January 24th 2012, Corpus Christi,TX)

IID Corpus Christi held its 3rd Annual Friendship and Dialog Dinner at Corpus Christi Country Club on Nov. 29, 2011. Emceed by Ms. Katy Kiser, the well-attended dinner gathered and united community leaders, media representatives, elected officials, clergy, participants from various faiths, academia and health care professionals. The program included an award ceremony for outstanding IID volunteers, advisory board and host committee. US District Judge Hon. Nelva G. Ramos and State Representative Hon. Raul Torres kindly presented the awards for IID. Among the host committee awardees was Corpus Christi Mayor Hon. Joe Adame who read a proclamation for IID Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinners in Corpus Christi.

The audience also enjoyed beautiful music performances from Hindu, Turkish Muslim, Christian and Jewish traditions. The keynote speech entitled "Promoting Common Good in Our Communities"was powerfully delivered by Prof. Jim Harrington, Director ofthe Texas Civil Rights Project. In his address, Harrington mentioned the democratic developments in Turkey andcontribution of the Gulen Movement to these developments. He later elaborated on how Americans can take specific examples from the movement to promote the common good locally.

Finally, Dr. Isabel Araiza, Associate of Professor of Sociology at TAMUCC, made a detailed presentation overviewing the IID activities of the past year.

(November 29th 2011, Corpus Christi, TX)

This year's dinner will be held at Corpus Christi Country Club on Tuesday, November 29th at 6:30pm. The event will feature live music performances of various faiths, cultures as well as a Keynote Speech entitled "Promoting the Common Good in Our Communities" by Prof. Jim Harrington, Director, Texas Civil Rights Project. IID Annual Activity report by Dr. Araiza, Texas A&M University-CC along with a Book Signing session by Prof. Harrington will also be showcased in the evening. Ms. Katy Kiser will emcee this year's exciting, colourful event.

Please RSVP by November 18th, 2011 at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or call (361) 980 3738.

(October 31th 2011, Corpus Christi, TX)