IDI and Emmanuel Community Church Came Together in Calgary for an Event Hosted by the Church
On the morning of January 12, members of IDI and Emmanuel Community Church came together in Calgary for an event hosted by the church. The program highlighted ‘Jesus in the Quran’ and provided an opportunity to share IDI’s mission of fostering dialogue and understanding between cultures and faiths. Following the Sunday worship, attendees shared a delicious lunch, connecting through meaningful conversations and exchanging ideas.
An evening of togetherness: A Christmas Celebration Dinner
Spring reminds us of the beauty of diversity — different flowers blooming in vibrant colours, each with its unique scent. Just as black stands out boldly on white, our differences make us more visible and beautiful.
At IDI Calgary, we believe God created us in diverse colours, races, and cultures to celebrate this richness together and we did it on December 19, 2024
IDI and the First Lutheran Church community gathered for lunch On October 20
After Sunday worship, IDI and the First Lutheran Church community gathered for lunch at First Lutheran Church. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and openness as members from both communities engaged in meaningful conversations.
Pastor Phil Holck delivered a beautiful speech that emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue and understanding, fostering a spirit of unity among the attendees. Everyone enjoyed delicious food, shared their stories and, strengthened their connections. The event was a wonderful reminder of the power of coming together and promoting mutual respect and collaboration between faiths.
IDI Youth organized a Thanksgiving dinner on October 19. We thank everyone for sharing a meaningful philosophy behind Thanksgiving.
This dinner was surrounded by great food, even greater company, and endless gratitude. We are thankful for the moments that make life special. We felt blessed to celebrate with amazing people. Thanks for sharing our table and hearts with those who matter most.
A vibrant summer picnic brought together members of IDI, ATIC, and Parkland United Church on August 3rd, 2024. The sunny afternoon provided the perfect backdrop for a day of camaraderie, delicious food, and fun activities. Attendees gathered at Edworthy Park to enjoy a picnic spread filled with grilled burgers, fresh salads, and homemade desserts. While savouring the delicious meal, participants engaged in lively conversations and laughter. In addition to the culinary delights, the event featured a variety of group games and activities. These interactive experiences fostered a sense of community and provided opportunities for participants to connect on a deeper level. Laura Holck, Social Justice Chair of the Parkland United Church, expressed her gratitude for the turnout and the positive atmosphere of the picnic. “It was wonderful to see so many people come together and enjoy a day of fellowship,” she said. Irfan Gulsu, President of Anatolian Turkish Islamic Centre (ATIC) Calgary, echoed Holck’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of such events in building bridges between communities. “The picnic was a fantastic opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to come together and celebrate our shared humanity,” Gulsu stated. The summer picnic was a resounding success, leaving attendees with lasting memories and a renewed sense of community. Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI) Calgary look forward to hosting similar events in the future.
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.
We know that Noah’s pudding is tastier when we share. We shared it with our friends in a mosque with Muslims, in a church with Christians and with our neighbours all around Calgary .Noah’s pudding symbolizes the mixture of people from different cultures, understanding and identities all bringing their own flavour to the atmosphere without losing their own characteristics. We would like to extend our thanks to the cook of this delicious dessert, Chef. Mahmut Elbasi, the owner of Anatolian Turkish Restaurant in Calgary.
IDI Participated in Cultural Night of Asian Heritage Month
Canada recognizes May as Asian Heritage Month. IDI members and volunteers gladly accepted a warm invitation from MSBCA President Jonathan Looi to attend their Cultural Night program, which is themed ” One Rhythm, One Nation.” The program was filled with outstanding traditional dance performances from the Malay—Chinese and Indian communities, live music, and great food!
On the occasion of Women’s Day, IDI organized an amazing event on March 16, 2019. The event featured speeches, Indigenous singing, and a special readers’ theatre project called Women Talking. The program was open to women, men, and youth alike.
Thanks to events like this, our sisterhood and passion for creating a meaningful, strong, and peaceful Calgary will continue to thrive. IDI had the pleasure of hosting a beautiful afternoon filled with inspiring Indigenous singing, informative speeches, live music, and a readers’ theatre portraying the lives of eight women with incredible stories. Thank you to everyone who contributed to organizing this event, and to all the guests who attended.
