Not My Life Screening Event Recap
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern On Wednesday, February 18, Niagara Foundation screened the film Not My Life in partnership with UNICEF US Fund....
| Tagged children, documentary, exploitation, fair trade, human trafficking, modern slavery, Not My Life, sex trafficking, UNICEF, UNICEF US FundNiagara Commemorates World Day of Social Justice
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Today at Niagara Foundation, we celebrate World Day of Social Justice. The United Nations General Assembly named February 20th...
| Tagged equality, equity, justice, social justice, United Nations, World Day of Social JusticeInterview with RealClearReligion’s Nicholas Hahn III
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Nicholas G. Hahn III will be joining us for a roundtable discussion about millennials and the church from...
| Tagged Catholicism, church, millennials, politics, religionAnti-bullying activist Patrick Dati to speak at Chicago & Education Forum
Niagara Foundation is excited to host Patrick Dati, an anti-bullying advocate and child abuse prevention spokesman, at our upcoming Chicago & Education Forum:...
| Tagged activism, advocacy, anti-bullying, bully, domestic violence, LGBT, LGBTQ, rape, sexual abuseNiagara Foundation Condemns the Actions of Chapel Hill Shooter
Niagara Foundation vehemently condemns the violent actions and motives of Craig Steven Hicks, arrested this morning for three counts of first-degree murder after...
| Tagged Chapel Hill, shootingFriends in Faith: Reverend John Cunningham Event Recap
By: Joshua Heine, Public & Global Affairs Intern On February 4, Niagara Foundation was pleased to welcome Reverend John Cunningham, a Jesuit priest and...
| Tagged faith, Jesuit, physics, scienceInterview with UNICEF’s Marshaun Montgomery on Human Trafficking
By: Kathleen Ferraro, Communications and Membership Coordinator This Wednesday, February 18, from 5:30-7:30 PM Niagara Foundation will partner with UNICEF US Fund to...
| Tagged documentary, human trafficking, Human Trafficking Awareness Month, modern slavery, Not My Life, UNICEFInterview with Stacy Ratner, Founder of Open Books
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Edited by: Kathleen Ferraro, Communications and Membership Coordinator On Wednesday, February 11, 2015 from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM Stacy...
| Tagged community, literacy, Open BooksStand in Solidarity with Women on National Wear Red Day
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Run by the American Heart Association and sponsored by Macy’s, National Wear Red Day is on the first...
Where is Turkey Headed? Discussions with Rainer Hermann
By: Patrick Reilly, Academic Affairs Intern and Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Rainer Hermann began his February 2nd discussion, hosted by Niagara Foundation and...
| Tagged book, Erdogan, fethullah gulen, government, hizmet, Rainer Hermann, turkeyToday is the Jewish Holiday of Tu B’Shevat!
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Today marks the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat/Tu B’Shevat. Although Tu B’Shevat is not a major Jewish holiday...
| Tagged holiday, Judaism, shiv’at ha’minim, Tu B'ShevatFethullah Gulen on Turkey’s Eroding Democracy
Earlier today, Fethullah Gulen contributed an op-ed piece to the New York Times addressing Turkey’s current political and cultural climate. In the op-ed, Gulen notes...
Niagara Foundation Commemorates National Freedom Day
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern National Freedom Day is a national day of observance remembering the signing of the 13th amendment by Abraham Lincoln on...
| Tagged advocacy, civil rights, equality, freedom, National Freedom DayTurkey Trip Tales: Mary Ellen O’Hare-Lavin, Ph. D.
By: Mary Ellen O’Hare-Lavin, Ph. D. In spring 2013, I joined a group of faculty, students and other interested persons on a trip...
| Tagged travel, turkey, Turkey TripWhere Did Valentine’s Day Come From?
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Valentine’s Day has not always been the ultra commercialized “day of love” that it is today. In fact,...
Interview with Father Cunningham of Loyola University Chicago
By: Kathleen Ferraro, Communications & Membership Coordinator On Wednesday, February 4 from 11:30 AM – 1PM, Niagara is excited to host Father John...
| Tagged faith, Jesuit, physics, religion, science and faithChicago Global Family: Get In Chicago with Toni Irving Event Recap
By: Joshua Heine, Public & Global Affairs intern On January 21 Niagara Foundation was pleased to welcome Toni Irving, the new executive director of...
| Tagged chicago, dialogue, Get In Chicago, inequality, mentoring, poverty, Toni Irving, youth, youth violenceInterview with Toni Irving of Get In Chicago
Tomorrow, we are excited to host Toni Irving for a roundtable discussion at our office from 11:30 AM – 1 PM. Irving is the...
Niagara Foundation Remembers Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -Dr. Martin Luther...
| Tagged civil rights, equality, Martin Luther King DayMeet Our New Team Member!
Niagara Foundation welcomes Kathleen Ferraro as a new addition to our Chicago family. She will be joining us as Communications & Membership Coordinator,...
Niagara Foundation Condemns the Actions of Gunmen in France
Chicago, January 7, 2015 – Niagara Foundation abhors the actions and motives of three masked gunmen, who this morning attacked the office of a...
Statement on Erdogan Government’s shameful action against Fethullah Gulen
New York, December 19, 2014 – With its latest action, Erdogan government has abandoned all sensibilities and crossed important ethical and moral boundaries....
Your Holiday Reading List…Part Two!
With the recent events in Turkey – the arrests of over 30 journalists and media officials and the unapologetic threats to free press...
For Your Holiday Reading Pleasure…
It is that time of year again! The school semester has come to an end, work responsibilities are dwindling, and many of us will...
Niagara Condemns the Unjust Arrests of Journalists in Turkey
Niagara Foundation denounces the recent actions of the Turkish Government, as they are incompatible with the freedom of the press, due process, and...
Our 10th Anniversary Gala: An Evening of Peace, Friendship, and Conviction
By: Maria Munoz, Academic Affairs Intern Edited by: Mignon Senuta, Director of Communications On December 4th 2014, the Niagara Foundation celebrated both its 10th...
How We Can #StopEbola in Chicago with UNICEF
On December 3, Niagara was pleased to welcome UNICEF’s Regional Managing Director Casey Marsh to our offices for a roundtable discussion. Marsh spoke...
Our 2014 State of the Middle East Forum
Disclaimer: The statements below do not necessarily reflect the opinions, positions, and/or affiliations of the Niagara Foundation. As a facilitator and apolitical convener of...
What is all the fuss about? Our 2014 Awardees, that’s what!
On December 4th, Niagara welcomes you to celebrate our 10th Anniversary…but the night will be so much more! Ten years serving Chicago and...
Congratulations to Syrian American Medical Society & American Muslim Health Professionals!
Niagara Foundation was thrilled to learn that our close friend and President of Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), Zaher Sahloul, will be awarded...
Top 5 Reasons to Attend Niagara’s 10th Anniversary Gala on December 4th
Niagara Foundation is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on December 4th and here’s why you don’t want to miss it! 1. The Peace &...
Niagara Foundation Celebrates First Annual Sharing the Faith: Sukkot
By: Ryan Lents, Center for Interfaith Engagement Intern Earlier this month, Jewish congregations throughout Chicago and around the world marked the harvest festival...
Let’s All Take a Closer Look at Chicago Public Libraries!
On Thursday, October 24th, Niagara had the pleasure of hosting Chicago Public Library (CPL) Commissioner Brian Bannon. We discussed the work of the...
The State of the Middle East Forum
Co-sponsored by Roosevelt University
Meet Our New Director of Communications & Member Relations
Niagara Foundation welcomes Mignon Senuta as our newest team member in Chicago! Interview by: Mevlut Hilmi Cinar, VP of Development and Strategy Hilmi:...
Religious Tolerance Delegation from Republic of Georgia visits Niagara Foundation
In late September, a group of six community leaders from the Republic of Georgia packed their bags, headed to the Tbilisi International Airport, and...
Dr. David Faris Will Join Niagara’s State of the Middle East Forum!
By: Kathleen Ferraro, Niagara Intern and Student at Northwestern University We’re pleased to welcome Roosevelt University’s Department of Political Science chair, Dr. David...
Interview with Dr. Wendy Pearlman
By: Kathleen, intern at Niagara and student at Northwestern University We are excited to host Dr. Wendy Pearlman, Assistant Professor and Crown Junior Chair...
Fethullah Gulen’s Condemning Message about ISIS
Our Honorary President, Mr. Fethullah Gulen’s condemnation of ISIS was published on several U.S. newspapers on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 ISIS Cruelty Deserves Our...
Sacred Sources: God and Human Suffering
Sacred Sources: God and Human Suffering Ryan Fordice, Program Director, Center for Interfaith Engagement Bright, mid-day sunlight flooded through the windows as the delicious aroma of Turkish food wafted...
An Analysis of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict – RAMIN AHMADOGHLU
Photo via Wikimedia After our blog post celebrating the exchange students we were happy to host from the countries of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia,...
We’ve Been Nominated for the Chicago Innovation Awards!
The Niagara Foundation is pleased to announce the nomination of our program Abraham’s Tent for the Chicago Innovation Awards. These at home interfaith...
Summer Intern Spotlight
Here at Niagara, we are so proud of our internship program. Over the past few years we have had interns from around the...
Using Film to Explore Other Cultures and Faiths
Photos and Text by: Lauren Messenger The Niagara Foundation was honored to welcome Jean de St. Aubin, executive director of the Gene Siskel...
Zeki Saritoprak – Clash of Two Islams in Turkey
This post is a guest contribution from our friend Prof. Zeki Saritoprak, of John Carroll University, who spoke at our Ramadan Experience Dinner...
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
If you’d like to make a donation to help cure ALS – please do so here. If you’ve already made your donation for...
Niagara Foundation Statement Condemning ISIS
The so-called “Islamic State,” also known as ISIS or ISIL, recently released a video showing the beheading of the American journalist, James Foley...
Makes You Appreciate the First Amendment, Doesn’t It?
Executive Editor of the Rockford Register Star, Mark Baldwin, just got back from a trip to Turkey with the Niagara Foundation. He’s blogging for...
Abraham’s Tent: Welcoming the Stranger as our Neighbor
By: Katie Stever, intern at Niagara Foundation How do we go from being two strangers passing on the sidewalk downtown to two neighbors...
Mark Baldwin: Turkish People Provide the Delight
Executive Editor of the Rockford Register Star, Mark Baldwin, just got back from a trip to Turkey with the Niagara Foundation. He’s blogging for...
Being a Non-Muslim During Ramadan
By: Katie Stever, intern at Niagara The end of July marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan and fasting for Muslims...
Reminiscing About Turkey
A group from WGVU Public Media in Michigan traveled to Turkey with the Niagara Foundation. Listen to their memories, interesting facts, and more...
Recap of Sharing the Faith: Voices of Ramadan
By: Katie Stever, Intern at Niagara On July 24th, Niagara Foundation and friends at the Center for Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Studies at...
Suffering is Suffering by Dirk Ficca
This is a blog post by one of our contributing authors. Rev. Dirk Ficca has twenty years of experience in the global interreligious movement, having...
Niagara Hosts Exchange Students, Alderman Pat O’Connor, and City Clerk Susana Mendoza
By: Danny Davis, Intern at Niagara Foundation and Student at Lawrence University Niagara’s headquarters bustled with lively guests and discussions last Friday as...
Ramadan Experience Iftar Recap
By: Katie Stever, intern at Niagara “The first rule of interfaith relations is to start where you are.” – Martin Marty This past...
Weekly Links
There are a couple extra links about Islam and Muslims this week as we celebrate Ramadan – the holiest month in Islam. Islam...
Book Review: Christian, Muslim & Jew by David Liepert
By: Danny Davis, intern at the Niagara Foundation David Liepert’s Christian, Muslim, & Jew: Finding a Path to Peace Our Faiths Can Share...
Ramadan in Millennium Park and at Niagara Foundation
This year, Ramadan began on June 28th and will last until July 28th. In honor of the holiday, Niagara’s interns Danny and Brandon...
Letter from Istanbul: Diversity Abounds in Turkey
Executive Editor of the Rockford Register Star, Mark Baldwin, is currently traveling to Turkey with the Niagara Foundation. He’s blogging for the Register...
Weekly Links: RAMADAN
The Blue Mosque in Turkey, decorated for the holiday (spelled Ramazan in Turkish) Our links this week are dedicated to Ramadan! The holiest...
4th of July – What does it mean to you?
Photo via Flickr (Atomic Taco) In the spirit of the fourth of July, Niagara interns Brandon and Danny paid a visit to Millennium...
Glory and the World Cup
Photo via Flickr (IsakFotografi) This is a blog post by one of our contributing authors. Dr. Martin Forward is a British, Methodist Christian...
Weekly Links
We love this viral photo undermining sectarian violence with humor! This little girl understands how to promote social cohesion! Thanks to Brandon Carter,...
Religion Doing Good
We were honored to be a part of an article about 100 different organizations showing that religion is a force for good. Here’s...
Consul General Graham Paul on the US French Relationship
By: Brandon Carter, intern at Niagara Foundation The Niagara Foundation was honored to welcome Consul General of France, Hon. Graham Paul to speak...
Politics and Polarization: Turkey with Mustafa Akyol
Written By: Mooni Abdus-Salam This morning, Turkish writer, journalist, and speaker Mustafa Akyol visited the Niagara Foundation and gave a talk for...
Weekly Links
Thanks to our interns, especially Brandon Carter, for helping to find these links! We’re late to this great listicle, but 50 Facts About...
Host an Abraham’s Tent Dinner this Summer!
The sizzle and pop of the grill. The clink clink of ice cubes in glasses of lemonade. The curling of smoke lifting up...
FBI Agent in Charge – Bob Holley on Counterterrorism
By: Brandon Carter, Intern at Niagara Foundation On Thursday, May 29th FBI Special Agent in Charge of Chicago Bob Holley paid a visit...