Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA strongly condemns the brutal attacks in Paris, France on Friday, November 13th. We reiterate our condemnation of all forms of terror regardless of its perpetrators or their stated purposes. We share our deepest condolences with the victims’ families, loved ones and the people of France. We honour all the victims by hardening […]
Nominations open for Public Heroes Awards GTA 2016 An article by Vinita Kinra (@VinitaKinra) November 18, 2015 marked the media launch event to kick start the nomination process for Public Heroes Awards Ceremony scheduled for April 14, 2016 at Mississauga Convention Centre. Public Heroes Awards have been recognizing the outstanding service of Police, Fire and Paramedic […]
DAESH, ISIL, ISIS or IS. It has as many names as conceptions of what it’s really about. It would like to call itself the Islamic State but its detractors would rather not give it that legitimacy by referring to it either as a Islamic or as a state, hence DAESH. Regardless of which name is […]
Extreme weather resilience was the focus of the Climate Change Symposium organized by IDI GTA, Faith and the Common Good, Toronto Area Interfaith Council and Green Awakening Network on October 1st, 2015. Entitled “Climate Change in our Backyard: A Multi-faith Symposium on Extreme Weather Resilience”, the event aimed to prepare faith communities to better respond […]
At an evening of Turkish art & culture, the launch of the Golden Rule Poster in the Turkish Language was celebrated. Those attended enjoyed live performance of Ebru (water marbling) art, whirling dervish, and live music. Please contact us for the Turkish version of the Golden Rule Poster.
When Ramadan comes, IDI Toronto’s “Meet Your Neighbour” program takes a new turn with the arrival of iftar dinners. The program is year-around, however the interest triples when Iftar dinners are there. For Muslims, the iftar (breaking-of-fast) dinners are a crucial part of the holy month of Ramadan, and they try their best to avoid […]
On July 11th, 2015, IDI GTA hosted the annual Ramadan Iftar dinner with the Town of Ajax, and Indo-Canadian Association of Durham (ICAD). The event took place at the Ajax Community Centre. The welcome remarks began with IDI GTA’s Executive Vice President, GTA West, Azim Shamshiev. He introduced Ramadan as a tune up for Muslims’ […]
On July 12th, 2015, IDA GTA hosted a Ramadan Iftar dinner at its downtown Toronto office with the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims. The theme for the evening was “Hunger in our Midst and the Spirit of Fasting”, with a panel of three speakers, one from each major Abrahamic faith tradition. The welcome speeches […]
On July 9th, 2015, IDI York University and Islamic Arts of York hosted one of the Ramadan Interfaith dinners at the Underground Restaurant on York’s Keele campus. The emcee for the evening was Kasim Dogan, himself an alumnus of York University. He introduced the topic for the evening which was hunger and fasting from the […]
Ramadan Intercultural Friendship Dinner with the Toronto Police Service The 4th Annual Ramadan Iftar dinner with the Toronto Police Service was held in the 195 year old Metropolitan United Church, on Queen St in Toronto. There were attendees from all over Toronto with families and kids, friends, or on their own, representing the diversity […]
IDI hosted another Ramadan Intercultural Friendship Iftar Dinner at The Markham Welcome Centre on Friday June 26. The iftar dinner fostered dialogue and friendship as the theme “Diversity in Media” was discussed. The keynote speech presented by Maria Saras-Voutsinas was both enlightening and thought provoking. The food was the highlight of the evening as everyone broke their […]
By Vinita Kinra June 25, 2015: Sayeda Khadija Centre reveled in a surprise dignitary at the community fast breaking dinner when Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister hopeful leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and son of late Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, joined the richly diverse gathering. Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI GTA) and Faith of […]
As Mentioned by Muneeb Nasir on his Website Iqra.ca http://iqra.ca/2015/well-known-toronto-synagogue-hosts-iftar/ (June 30, 2015) – Holy Blossom Temple, one of Canada’s most influential synagogues, hosted an Iftar gathering that brought Muslims and Jews together to learn about each other’s traditions of fasting and to share in the fast-breaking meal last Tuesday, June 23. “I believe that […]
By Vinita Kinra June 18, 2015: Aurora Cultural Centre was abuzz with activity to mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. The host was Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI), a pioneer in bridging cultural chasms by uniting community leaders from a diverse array of faiths to enhance mutual respect, understanding and appreciation between […]
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WINNING POSTERS AND ESSAYS. Durham Region Art & Essay Contest 2015 Awards Ceremony was held on May 20th, 2015, at the Ajax Convention Centre, with the theme of Volunteers: Heroes Among Us. The ceremony began with a showcase of the insightful and inspiring art and essay submissions of the finalists […]
LUNCHEON TALK “New Technologies & the Future of Libraries” Speaker: Vickery Bowles City Librarian Vickery Bowles is the City Librarian of the Toronto Public Library, one of the world’s biggest and busiest public libraries. She believes passionately in the difference public libraries make in the lives of individuals, in communities and cities. Vickery has […]
Building Heart: It Takes A Community Heart to heart brings a group of Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian youth together every summer in Canada for dialogue. Dr. Usnat Atamna is a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship. She began her speech by explaining that she hadn’t encountered racism while growing up and even originally identified as Israeli. During her […]
Nowruz meaning “The New Day” is the name of the New Year in Eastern Traditions. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. Nowruz is celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds for […]
LUNCHEON TALK “Three Simple Ideas for Improving Community Health” Speaker: Medhat Mahdy President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Toronto Click here for PDF Version of Medhat Mahdy’s presentation Medhat Mahdy is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto and President of YMCA Ontario. Medhat has an extensive background in charitable sector leadership […]
Public Heroes GTA 2015 Awards were presented on April 9th at Oak Ridges Community Centre. Thirty percent of the proceeds from the awards ceremony was donated to the Tema Conter Memorial Trust. List of awardees are given below: Awardee Award Service Presented by Chief William Blair Lifetime achievement Toronto Police Service MP Chungsen Leung Mina […]
The finalist posters and essays of Peel Art and Essay Contest 2014 were recognized during the contest’s awards ceremony on February 18th, 2015 at the Mississauga Convention Centre. With its theme “Volunteers – Heroes among Us”, the contest was dedicated to the 40th Anniversary of Peel Region which was celebrated in 2014. It aimed to […]
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCHEON “TRAILBLAIZERS” Keynote Address: Anne-Marie Mediwake News Anchor, CBC Toronto Master of Ceremonies: Sevaun Palvetzian CEO, Civic Action Excellence in Community Service Award: Women of Influence Award to be received by Carolyn Lawrence, President & CEO Event is co-organized by IDI GTA and St. Michael’s College. Sponsored by ADA Chocolate. […]
The Interfaith Panel: Women’s Role in Public Life, was organized in celebration of International Women’s day. It consisted of five women from different faith backgrounds. Ven. Jue Qian, from the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto shared Buddhists’ views on women and their inclusion in the Buddha’s teachings. For them any sentient creature can achieve […]
LUNCHEON TALK “FOOD & CULTURE” Speaker: Jennifer Bain Food Editor February 26th, 2015 – 11:45am – 1:30pm 481 University ave, suite 711, Toronto, ON M5G 2E9 11:45am – Registration | 12:00pm – Lunch | 12:30pm – Speech & Q&A | 1:30pm – Closing With a special 7 course vegetarian menu showcasing the diverse & delicious recipes of Ontario selected from the […]
LUNCHEON TALK “Public Citizenship in an Age of Diversity” Speaker: Hon. Michael Chong March 4th, 2015 – 11:45am – 1:30pm 481 University ave, suite 711, Toronto, ON M5G 2E9 11:45am – Registration | 12:00pm – Lunch | 12:30pm – Speech & Q&A | 1:30pm – Closing Michael Chong co-founded the Dominion Institute, now known as Historica Canada, an organization […]
Dr. Miloud Chennoufi Prof., Department of Security and International Affairs Canadian Forces College Miloud Chennoufi holds a Ph.D from the University of Montreal. He teaches international relations at the Canadian Forces College where he serves as chair of the Department of Security and International Affairs. He is a visiting fellow at Glendon College (York […]
Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism Professor Ivan Kalmar, is a professor in the Department of Anthropology, and Hon. Newton W. Rowell Professor at Victoria College, University of Toronto. He says his work and personal inclination tends toward improving the understanding between Jewish and Muslim peoples. During the luncheon Professor Kalmar discussed the similarities in the language and […]
Intercultural Dialogue Institute condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo. Such horrific actions represent an assault on democratic values and can never be justified no matter the underlying reason. Even against insults, the befitting response must be legal and civil. Our thoughts are with the people of France and our […]
The following report written by Muneeb Nasir has been taken from Iqra.ca. (February 5, 2015) – This week, Toronto is celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week and there is growing interest across the city by faith and civic groups to partake in interfaith activities. “This is the third year that we celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week […]
