The Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) and the Department of World Religions and Culture of Dhaka University and the Rainbow Film Society, Itali jointly organized a Three Day Film Festival Programme and a seminar on November 10, 2010 at RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium, Dhaka University. Dr. Itala Occhi, Hon’ble Ambassador of Itali to Bangladesh, Arch Bshiop Joseph Marino, Apostolic Nancio to Bangladesh, Dr. Rebeca Haque, Chairperson, Dept. of English, Dhaka University, Dr. Francisco Rapaciolli, Director, Pontific Institute for Foreign Mission, Dhaka. Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam, Director, CIID were present as discussants. Prof. KAM Saaduddin, eminent Professor of Sociology of Dhaka University presided over the seminar.

The CIID, University of Dhaka and Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU) and the Ministry of Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh arranged a 3-day International Conference on Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue. The programme was held at the Senate Bhavan Auditorium, University of Dhaka from 27-29 November 2010. The inaugural session started on Nov. 27 at 9:30 am.

Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Advocate Md. Shahjahan Miah, Hon’ble State Minister, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Secretary, Ministry of Education were present as the Special Guests. Prof. Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Vice-Chancellor , University of Dhaka chaired the session while Dr. Abbas Sadri, Director, ISESCO Regional Office in Tehran & Mr. Derek Elias, Officer-in –charge, UNESCO Dhaka was present as the Guests of Honour.

35 eminent scholars from 11 countries belonging to different religious traditions took part in the conference

The CIID and the Department of World Religions and Culture of Dhaka University arranged a Special Lecture on GURU NANAK AND INTERRELIGIOUS HARMONY on 12/12/2010 (Sunday) at 4 pm at Sikh Research Centre, the Gurudwara of Dhaka University Campus. Dr. Jodh Singh, Professor of Punjabi University, Patiala, India and Visiting Professor of the Department of World Religions and Culture of Dhaka University delivered this Special Lecture. Professor Kazi Nurul Islam, the Director of the Centre presided over the programme

The CIID, the Department of World Religions and Culture of Dhaka University and School of History, Archaeology and Religions of Cardiff University, England, arranged a special seminar on “Islam, Love and Marriage: New Choices for a New World” on 7 /2/2011 at the Centre for Advanced Research in Humanities of Dhaka University.

Prof. Dr. Geofferey Samuel, Dr. Santi Rozario and Dr. Bulbul Asraf Siddique of Cardiff University presented research papers on the theme while Prof. Firdous Azim of BRAC University and Prof. Parween Hasan of Dhaka University took part in the discussion. Prof. Kazi Nurul Islam, Director, CIID presided over the seminar

The CIID, the Department of World Religions and Culture of Dhaka University and the American Cultural Centre, Dhaka, Dhaka jointly organized a seminar on Religious Freedom Day 2011 on January 30, 2011 at seminar room of the Department of World Religious and Culture, Dhaka University. Mr. Garrett E. Wilkerson, Director, American Cultural Centre, Dhaka delivered the keynote speech. Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam, Director, CIID presided over the seminar.

On the occasion of “International Inter-religious Harmony Week” declared by the UNO, CIID, and the Department of World Religions and Culture in co-operation with of the University of Dhaka arranged “Poster Exhibition of Different Religions of the World” on the 1st February 2011 at 10:00 am in front of Aporajeya Bangla.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Professor A A M S Arefin Siddique, inaugurated the Exhibition which was followed by an Inter-religious Harmony Rally. People belonging to six faiths took part in this rally which was led by the Vice Chancellor. While inaugurating the exhibition, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the UNO for declaring one week for inter-religious harmony. He mentioned that Bangladesh is a model of Inter-religious Harmony. He also urged the peace loving people throughout the world to celebrate this week.

Professor Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam said that on the basis of the proposal given by His Excellency King Abdullah of Jordan, the UNO took the decision to observe the 1st week of February as “Inter-religious Harmony Week”.

At the end of the rally, Professor Syed Anawar Hosain, a renowned historian of Bangladesh, said that through this program we became a part of the international community.

The CIID and Department of World Religions and Culture of Dhaka University jointly organized a seminar on the occasion of the Eid-E-Milladunnabbi on February 16, 2011 at the seminar room of the Department of World Religions and Culture, Dhaka University. Dr. Joseph T O’Connell, Professor Emeritus, Toronto University, Canada and Visiting Professor of World Religions and Culture was present as a Chief Guest. Dr. ANM Raisuddin, Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Dhaka University, delivered the keynote speech. Prof. Dr. Sadrul Amin, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Dhaka University was present as a Special Guest. Mr. Md. Abu Sayem and Mr. Abdullah Al Mahmud were present as discussants. Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam, Director, CIID, presided over the seminar

The CIID and Department of World Religions and Culture, University of Dhaka arranged a special seminar on March 7, 2011 at 4.pm in the seminar room of the department. The title of the seminar was Religious Studies in South Asian Universities amid Secularist Communalist Tensions.

The keynote speaker of the seminar was Professor Joseph T. O’Connell, Dr. Fr. Tapan D. Rozario, Assistant Professor of the Department of World Religions and Culture and a renowned Christian scholar of the country was present as the discussant in the seminar. The seminar was presided by Professor K.A M Saaduddin, Professor of Department of Sociology and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Science, D.U.

The CIID and the Episcopal Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue, Bangladesh jointly arranged an International Seminar on Religions for Peace and Harmony held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhavan Auditorium, Dhaka University.

His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (PCID) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. His Excellency Archbishop Joseph Marino, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh; Most Rev. Paulinus Costa, DD, Archbishop of Dhaka; Prof. Syed Anwar Husain, Editor of the Daily Sun and Prof. Aminul Islam, President of Bangladesh Philosophical Association were present as Special Guests.

Prof. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Vice-Chancellor, Dhaka University inaugurated the seminar. Prof. Kazi Nurul Islam, Director, CIID presided over the seminar.