A Night of Connection and Understanding
Date: June 13, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: IDI Community Center
Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI) hosted a memorable Interfaith Dialogue Dinner at the IDI Community Center. The event brought together 12 families—6 from Laura Holck’s guests and 6 from the Hizmet Movement. The gathering fostered an atmosphere of warmth and openness, where participants had the chance to engage in meaningful conversation around shared values and experiences.
The evening was designed to promote mutual understanding between people of different faiths. As part of the program, each table was given thought-provoking prompts such as, “How do you know me as a Christian & Muslim?” This allowed guests to reflect on their perspectives and listen to others’ experiences in a respectful, open dialogue.
The attendees enjoyed a delicious meal, generously sponsored, which added to the sense of community and hospitality.
Laura Holck, the Social Justice Chair of the Parkland United Church, and Malik Muradov, a Muslim chaplain, delivered inspiring welcome speeches. Both emphasized the purpose of the evening—building bridges between communities, celebrating diversity, and fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
It was a truly enriching evening where new friendships were formed, and participants left with a deeper appreciation for one another’s beliefs and traditions. Events like these are a testament to the power of dialogue in bridging divides and creating a more harmonious society.
