Blog Layout

Interview with Tolga Misirli from the Niagara Foundation and Turkish American Society of MN

Mar 06, 2023

Featured Organizational Partner: Niagara Foundation of Minnesota & Turkish American Society of MN

Please join us in welcoming the Niagara Foundation of Minnesota into the Minnesota Multifaith Network! We recently interviewed Executive Director Tolga Misirli to learn about his background, the history of the organization, and how we as a Network can best support them.


The Niagara Foundation was originally founded in Chicago in 2003 by a group of Turkish Americans who wanted to work towards abolishing the ignorance, disunion, and misunderstanding they saw in society through hosting various interfaith activities and events. As the group grew, they expanded to the greater Midwest region, including Minnesota. In 2013, Tolga Misirli became the Executive Director of the Minnesota branch.


On top of his work with the Niagara Foundation MN, Tolga is also a Chemistry and Physics professor at Metro State University. He says that he enjoys taking complex ideas and turning them into concepts that his students can understand. That is also how he approaches his work with the Niagara Foundation. Oftentimes when people want to get involved in interfaith work, they feel intimidated by the idea of trying to solve these big societal problems, or they are unsure of how to interact with people from different faith or cultural backgrounds. That is why the Niagara Foundation focuses on low-stakes opportunities for engagement.


One example of a current opportunity is the 3Faiths@OneTable project. This initiative gathers folks who are interested in developing relationships with people from different religious or cultural backgrounds. The families meet at each other’s homes over the course of three months and get to know one another over the sharing of a light meal or snack. This project has had a
successful run in the past pre-Covid with eight cohorts, and the Niagara Foundation MN is excited to start it up again.



The Niagara Foundation MN also hosts different events including dialogue iftars, book clubs, educational speakers, and their annual Abrahamic Traditions Dinner. If you are interested in learning more, you can visit their website or email Tolga.




By Hajra Zaid 25 Apr, 2024
Register here to be a part of this webinar series!
By Jen Kilps 11 Apr, 2024
The Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN) in partnership with the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas is conducting a joint Multifaith Leadership Training. Participants will be non-students from Minnesota to join student Interfaith Fellows from St. Thomas and other Minnesota colleges. Eligibility: Persons under the age of 35 interested in developing transferable dialogue skills for leadership and for strengthening multifaith relations in the broader community. No prior experience is expected. Time Commitment: The seminar meets six times by Zoom for 75 minutes approximately every other week during September to November, 2024. Days and times of sessions will be determined based on availability of participants. The program concludes with an in-person public workshop in the spring of 2025. The workshop will involve local scholars, experts, trainers, and leaders. Content: Topics include dialogue, interfaith dialogue, identity, key tools of dialogical communication, the righting reflex and motivational interviewing, courage and vulnerability for leadership, and empathy in religiously diverse contexts (e.g., DEI, workplace, public life). Topics subject to change. Stipend: Accepted participants receive an all-inclusive honorarium ($400 each) to put towards attending the six online sessions and travel/lodging for the in-person workshop. Apply by May 15, 2024 To apply, completer and submit the application form: Multifaith Leadership Training Application To indicate interest or get more information, contact Jen Kilps, MnMN Network Executive at jkilps@mnmultifaith.org Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2024
By Hajra Zaid 08 Mar, 2024
The workshop convened on March 3rd at St. Olaf College, featuring a keynote dialogue between Rabbi Dr. Rachel S. Mikva and Professor Najeeba Syeed
20 Feb, 2024
Save the date for the 2nd Annual St. Peter Festival of Nations! Brought to you by the Saint Peter Good Neighbor Diversity Council and community partners. Johnson Hall and Nicollet County Fairgrounds for both indoor and outdoor festivities. All are welcome, always. Stay tuned for all the details, performances, foods, arts, music, vendors, international fair, and more! Saturday, May 18, 1:00 - 7:00 pm, 400 Union St, St Peter, MN 56082 Learn more here!
20 Feb, 2024
The benefits of meditative practices have been intuited for millennia, but now science has clearly observed the connection between mental wellness and curious self-awareness. The practice of mindfulness is now mainstream, and we're beginning to ask deeper questions about what it really is, and about what it might be able to show us: What is the relationship between our mental health and our spirituality? What do words like compassion and wisdom mean for me in this age of anxiety? How are qualities like resiliency, courage, clarity, and kindness made available to us? In this program, Busshō Lahn draws upon insights from the Zen Buddhist tradition to address possible approaches to these questions based on his new book, Singing and Dancing Are the Voice of the Law (2022). Tuesday, March 19, 12:00 - 1:10 pm, Iverson Center for Faith, Schoenecker Multipurpose Room C (LL16C) University of St. Thomas, St. Paul campus Learn more here!
20 Feb, 2024
Learning and conversation with the Islamic Resource Group and friends of the Saint Peter Good Neighbor Diversity Council. All are welcome! Free welcome meal at 6pm, presentation with Q&A at 7pm What does Islam teach? What do Muslims practice? Differences between religion and culture. Terminology. Demographics. Beliefs and practices of Muslims including important religious celebrations. An excellent opportunity to dialogue with St. Peter neighbors who practice Islam, to increase understanding, build awareness, ask questions, and make new connections. Thursday, March 7, 7:00 pm, St. Peter Community Center, 600 S 5th St, Room 219 aka Senior Ctr, St Peter, MN 56082 Learn more here!
20 Feb, 2024
Join Luther Seminary on February 27, 2024, for an evening with ecologist and lay theologian Rick Lindroth. Professor Lindroth will deliver the 2024 Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation, “Science, Truth, and Christian Faith in a Time of Eco-Crisis.” The ecological polycrisis confronting the world today is unparalleled in human history and threatens to unravel, within decades, the very fabric of civilization. Long battered by the “dominion” theology of Christianity, the global environment has suffered further in recent decades because of entrapment in a vortex of science denialism, political polarization, and cultural tribalism. Nonetheless, as a faith system committed to truth, hope, and unity across cultural divides, Christianity also provides a path forward. Rick Lindroth argues for a re-wilding of the Christian ethic of creation care—one that promotes enchantment, connection, reciprocity, and justice—for the betterment of humanity and flourishing of the living world. This event is free and open to the public, with no registration required. The lecture will be livestreamed via YouTube for those unable to attend in person. Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation with Rick Lindroth Tuesday, February 27, 2024 7 p.m. Location: Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center 1490 Fulham Street, St. Paul, MN 55108 Learn more here!
20 Feb, 2024
Come and celebrate the Easter season with this beautiful oratorio. The music depicts the last days of the life of Jesus Christ told through the experiences of those who witnessed them – those He knew and loved. Featuring 13 soloists, orchestra, and full choir. The concert will be held at the Benson Great Hall. Invite your friends and don’t miss this beloved community tradition! For ages 8 and up. Tickets for reserved seating are $16 in advance or at the event. Doors open at 7 PM. “Rush” seating begins at 7:15 PM for any remaining seats, at $5 per seat. Live Stream tickets are $6 and available for the Saturday, March 16th performance. TICKETS- FRI MAR 15 TICKETS- SAT MAR 16 Learn more here!
20 Feb, 2024
Building on the success of last year, we're going for round two ~ Join us for a full day of amazing organizing at the MN Capitol! This is the big day! The event will include training, visits with legislators, a march & rally in the rotunda to advance the movement around Climate Justice & Indigenous Rights. More information about this event will be coming soon. Please RSVP so we can make the most of this opportunity to advance the movement around Indigenous Rights & Climate Justice during the 2024 Legislative Session! Let us know in the form if you have any interest in volunteering. Note: Your address information will help us organize attendees by districts - we cannot guarantee meetings with all legislators, but will do our best! Thank you for helping us streamline this. WHEN March 12, 2024 at 9:00am - 4pm WHERE Minnesota State Capitol 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Saint Paul, MN 55155 Google map and directions Register here!
20 Feb, 2024
Taking Heart is a long-running program coordinated by Minnesota Council of Churches and the Muslim American Society of Minnesota (MAS-MN) to bring Christians and members of other faith communities together with Muslims for food and conversation during Ramadan. Ramadan is a blessed month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the “five pillars” of Islam and is performed to learn piety, self-restraint, compassion, and generosity. Iftars will include opening remarks and welcome with a recitation of the Quran and the call to prayer; a presentation on Islam and Ramadan and its customs; breakout groups where a number of topics can be discussed. Multiple dates during Ramadan. In 2024 Ramadan falls between March 10 and April 9. Locations throughout the state. Additional sites will be added to the registration list as the information becomes available. Find dates/locations and register here!
Show More
Share by: