The Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue hosted its 3rd annual Dialogue and Friendship Event on April 21, 2010. Dr. Roseann Runte, President of Carleton University,  delivered the keynote address.

This years theme was “Spiritual Democracy for the 21st century: Nurturing Humane Love, Respect, and Compassion”

There was a large attendance of members of parliament, senators, professors, news media as well as community leaders and ambassadors. Among those present were the Speaker of the House Hon. Peter Milliken, Hon. Mauril Belanger (the event host), former Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Mr. Jim Watson, Mr. Vernan White (Ottawa Police Chief) and Scott Hannant (CTV Ottawa News Editor).

The event started with Prime Minister Harper’s message and well-wishes. In his message The Right Hon. Prime Minister noted: “Canada is proud of its diversity and welcomes people from all beliefs and cultures. Tonight’s event is an inspiring example of fellowship and understanding amongst citizens of different religious and cultural backgrounds. I commend each of you for your commitment to celebrating our country’s diversity: you may take pride in knowing that your efforts contribute to building a better future for us all.” The event continued with Dr. Yavuz Zeybek’s, Chairman of CIID, and event host Hon. Mauril Belanger’s welcome speeches. After the meal, Dr. Roseann Runte delivered her keynote speech. Dr. Runte highlighted the importance of education for intercultural dialogue.

In his brief address, Speaker of House of Commons. Mr. Milliken stressed the importance of dialogue within our greater community and thanked the organization for its effort promoting intercultural dialogue and tolerance. The event concluded with impressions and remarks from attendees.

The Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to unite the global communities through intercultural dialogue by sharing the differences and similarities in cultures in an effort to achieve world peace in the foreseeable future. The Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) grew out of the need to address the question, "How can citizens of the world live in peace and harmony?" From this question a conversation took root and began to grow. The founding members of the CIID knew from personal experience that a discussion on cultural differences did not have to digress into confusion, fighting, and anarchy. On the contrary the founding members understood that peace could be achieved by sharing different perspectives by listening to each other from the space of love, respect, tolerance, mercy, and compassion

Meet Your Neighbours" is a program where the families affiliated with CIID invite guests to their homes to have dinner together. There, families meet, greet, and create a joyful family atmosphere. The purpose behind this program is to build bridges between communities and experience intercultural interactions. Through this experience, exchange of ideas, tolerance, development of new forms of dialogue and new friendships are hoped to be gained. This brings about kindness, respectfulness, generosity and above all else cultural harmony. This evening is about sharing a great time together in a learning environment with the preparation and eating of good foods.

There is dialogue and understanding among families of different communities who come together based on common values and spirituality. Each family embraces the other. Instead of bias and hatred, there is empathy and tolerance. 

You will taste those along with diversity, richness, love, and cooperation. Families also maintain good relations with their neighbours, regardless of what their religion, beliefs, culture, or race may be. As long as we have hope, faith and love; we will be able to transform the jangling discords of humanity into a beautiful symphony of being together. All of us are united and are experiencing the art of living together in harmony. These are the purposes behind the Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue’s promotion of this program.

The Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue came into fruition for the purpose of eradicating the roots of chaos, enmity, and intolerance through conversation and dialogue with people of varying cultures. 

Many people have challenged the founding members of CIID by asking- Why are you speaking with people from differing religions? To this we have said, "We are in communication with others because of our love, admiration, gratitude, and respect for our Prophets Adam, Enoch, Noah, Hud, Salih, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Lot, Jacob, Joseph, Shuaib, Job, Moses, Aaron, Ezekiel, David, Solomon, Elias, Elijah, Jonah, Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Muhammad Peace and blessings be upon them all."

The members of CIID are even more resolute in our commitment for global peace and security. To this end we send each and every single individual on earth prayers of strength, love, and peace.

Noah's pudding day is a day of fasting that Muslims observe on the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is derived from the Jewish Day of Atonement.* 

When Prophet Muhammad arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews fasted on this day because, as they told him: “This is a blessed day. On this day, God saved Moses and the beleivers from their enemy (in Egypt). Therefore, Prophet Moses fasted on this day in gratitude to God.” Then he also fasted and encouraged the Muslims to fast on that day and the day before in gratitude to God, just as Moses had done.

Among many other significant events that happened on this day, one is attributed to Prophet Noah (PBUH).  It is narrated that Noah prepared a meal so called Ashure, and ever since preparing Ashure and distributing it to neighbours remained as a tradition among people. CIID is proud to continue this tradition among Ottawa  citizens. As volunteers of CIID, we are holding Ashure days and nights at different locations to distirbute Ashure and remind people of this tradition which we see as a symbol for "different cultures living together peacefully in harmony with preserving original identities".  

Do you want to taste a thousands of years old recipe? Click here.

The Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue is organizing a series of interfaith trips to Turkey in an effort to share the cultural richness of this beautiful country with the community we serve. The trip helps discover the historical, cultural and natural beauties of Turkey, a living example of the harmony of different faiths for centuries.