This month’s cooking show took place at the Old Forge Community Resource Centre on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

The name of the dish introduced was “BOREK”. The attendees watched the preparation from the beginning to the end. Each participant gave it a try as well. Then, all the attendees had a wonderful free dinner together. The other foods served were a nice salad, and a wonderful desert called Kadayif. Hot tea followed afterwards.

The next cooking show will be at the Northern Lights Educational Services on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. It is open to the public, please join us and learn more. You will have a free dinner as well.

The program for Abrahamic Hospitality was held at Trinity United Church on Sunday, April 15, 2012. The gathering involved a meal in the spirit of Prophet Abraham, forefather of the three great faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Rev. Ellie Barrington welcomed everyone. Ms. Arlene Smith, Ms. Jennifer Grant, Mr. Scott Auchlinleck, Ms. Sarah Daigen, Ms. Suzanne Poirier, Ms. Amélie Parenteau-Comfort, and the rest of the people were so welcoming to their guests.  As lunch was served, the tables were full of very lively discussions regarding faith as participants tried to find answers to their intriguing questions.

It was noticed how important remembering Prophet Abraham’s guidance for all of us today is.

At the end, Rev. Ellie Barrington thanked everyone for coming to the event and emphasized that dialogue among us should continue. The event ended with a group photo of all participants taken by IDI-Ottawa’s volunteers.

From left to right: Defence Minister, Hon. Peter MacKay, IDI-Ottawa Chair, Dr. Edip Yavuz Zeybek, and Member of Parliament, Mr. Pierre Poilievre.

This time, the Hospitality of Prophet Abraham was held at Knox United Church on Sunday, April 01, 2012. The gathering shared a meal in the spirit of Prophet Abraham, forefather of the three great faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Rev. Andrew Jensen welcomed everyone. As lunch was served the tables were home to very lively discussions regarding faith as participants tried to find answers to their intriguing questions.

Prophet Abraham would not have a meal without guests. It was noticed that how important to remember Prophet Abraham’s guidance for all of us today.

At the end, Rev. Jensen thanked everyone for coming to the event and emphasized that dialogue among us should continue.

The event ended with a group photo of all participants taken by IDI-Ottawa’s volunteers.

The theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with Department of National Defence was:

“Racism in 2012 – A Reality Check”
« Le racisme en 2012 : l’heure juste »

Welcome and opening remarks was given by Mrs. Lynn Harper-Ciarroni, Director Maritime Civilian Personnel Requirements.

There were three speakers and the first speech was given by Dr. Zeybek and followed by Cmdre John F. Newton, DGNP, RCN, and by Ms. Naureen Haque, Canada Revenue Agency.

Closing remarks were given by Vice-Admiral Paul A. Maddison, Comd. RCN and National Champion for Visible Minorities.

Please click here to read Dr. Zeybek’s speech.

The panelists were Professor Angela Sumegi and Mrs. Mine Khan. Mrs. Rebecca Lyn Cragg, O.C.T., B.A.H., M.A., B.Ed. Founder & President, Camellia Teas of Ottawa, was the moderator.

Professor Sumegi said that women are great communicators so that they build the bridges in a much better way. At the same, she mentioned that there are a lot of bridges are already exist out there, but the important thing is to open up them each other.

Mrs. Khan said that building bridges among cultural communities is not difficult as long as dialogue is the starting point, but needs more effort.

There were questions asked and panelists answered them in a very convincing way. The audience learned more about how women can really contribute to connect the cultural communities in a positive and constructive manner.

The cooking show was very friendly and exciting. The name of the dish introduced was “Lentel Köfte”. The attendees watched the preparation from the beginning to the end. Then, all the attendees had a wonderful free dinner together. The other foods served were a nice salad, and a wonderful desert called Baklava. Hot tea followed afterwards.

The next cooking show will be at the Old Forge Community Resource Centre again on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. It is open to the public, please join us and learn more. You will have a free dinner as well.

Intercultural Dialogue Institute – Ottawa was pleased to held its  “Public Heroes Award” for outstanding service in maintaining public safety in the City of Ottawa. The aim of the award was to recognize dedication and excellence of individual members of Ottawa Police, Fire and Paramedic Services in delivering their services in an ethnically and culturally diverse environment. Three criteria have been identified by IDI -Ottawa “Altruism”, “Dedication” and “Contribution to Multiculturalism” which would be the basis for a selection process that each of the services would conduct among its members. The recipients of the awards were announced at the “Public Heroes Award Ceremony” which  was held on March 09, 2012 at Algonquin College.

The award recipients were Ashley Murfin, Commander, Ottawa Paramedic Services, Constable Mahamud ELMI, Ottawa Police Services, Deanna Schofield, Acting Superintendent, Ottawa Paramedic Services, and Peter Perryman, Superintendent, Ottawa Paramedic Services.

A group of representatives from Ottawa Police, Fire and Paramedic Services including Chief and Deputy Chiefs were at the ceremony. Other distinguished guests such as NGO’s, community and elected officials attended as well.

The awards ceremony started with the opening speech by Ms. Vanessa Lee, an emcee from CTV. The welcome speech by Dr. Yavuz Zeybek, Chair, Intercultural Dialogue Institute-Ottawa, followed up. The IDI Ottawa’s introductory video was shown before the dinner.  After the dinner, the keynote speech was addressed by the Ottawa City Councillor Katherine Hobbs.

Just before the awards were given, videos were shown for each of the award recipient. The emcee was responsible for calling up the person giving the award and the recipient. Both had said a few words about how they felt.

Ashley Murfin, Commander received his award from the City Councillor Ketih Egli. Constable Mahamud ELMI from Ottawa Police Service received his award from Wayne Russett, Aboriginal and Ethnic Liaison Officier from RCMP.  Deanna Schofield from Ottawa Paramedic service received her award from Professor Donald Beecher, Chancellor’s professor at Carleton University. Peter Perryman from Paramedic service received his award from the Ottawa City Councillor Katherine Hoobs.

Final remarks given by S/Sgt. John Medeiros, Ottawa Police Services, Kevin Newell, Deputy Chief of Operations, Ottawa Paramedic Services, and Kim Ayotte, Deputy Fire Chief of Community Standards and Education.

A wonderful closing speech was given by Dr. Donald Beecher, Chancellor’s Professor at Carleton University. Group photo was taken and the ceremony ended.

IDI – Ottawa thanks each and every participant for their help and contribution. Without their help the event would not have been possible.

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Individuals shown below: Ms. Lisa MacLeod, MPP, Hon. Gordon O’Conor, Mr. Zak Zakirof of AHF, Dr. Yavuz Zeybek, Chair of IDI-Ottawa, Mr. Jack MacLaren, MPP, and Councillor Allan Hubley.