Raindrop Women's Association Houston

09/30/2026

✨ “The lamps are different, but the Light is the same.” — Rumi

For a few beautiful hours, we paused the noise of the world and came together through poetry, culture, music, and fellowship to celebrate the timeless message of Jalaluddin Rumi.

Raindrop Foundation was honored to host with the Dialogue Institute Houston this year’s Rumi Poetry & Cultural Program, under the theme “Words of Peace, Voices of Unity.”

Throughout the evening, Rumi’s poetry came alive in Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Urdu, French, Filipino, Italian, Turkish, Russian, and Albanian. Different languages and cultural traditions filled the room, yet each carried the same enduring message of love, compassion, peace, and our shared humanity.

We were honored to welcome Dr. Muhammed Cetin, Professor of Sociology at North American University, who reflected on Rumi’s life, trials, and enduring message of peace. The evening also included the beautiful sound of the Ney and a special virtual Sama presentation from Konya, bringing guests closer to the spiritual and cultural traditions surrounding Rumi’s legacy.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Mrs. Zakia Lalani, representing the office of State Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani, and Mrs. Hina Qadri, representing the office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, for joining us.

We are deeply grateful to our program partners:, La Casa de España Houston, Indus Arts Council, United Nations Association Houston, LiterArts Fusion, Kindness Without Limits, Arab American Cultural Center, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, and North American Poetry Society.

And most importantly, our heartfelt thanks to every poetry reader, performer, volunteer, partner, and guest who shared their language, culture, talents, and heart with us.

In a world that can so easily emphasize what separates us, this evening reminded us of what Rumi taught centuries ago: beneath our different languages, traditions, and stories, there is a light that connects us all.

Until next year. ✨

Photo Credits: Rukiye Guven

Raindrop Foundation Inc.

09/11/2026

✨ ANNUAL RUMI AND LOVE: Words of Peace, Voices of Unity ✨

Join us for a beautiful evening celebrating Rumi’s timeless message of love, peace, dialogue, and unity through poetry, music, culture, and community.

As we commemorate the 19th anniversary of UNESCO’s declaration of Rumi Year, we are honored to welcome Dr. Muhammed Cetin, Professor of Sociology at North American University, as our keynote speaker. Dr. Cetin is the author and producer of the documentary Rumi and Universal Love and Dialogue. His insights will offer a meaningful perspective on Rumi’s timeless message of love, dialogue, and unity in today’s world.

🌍 Rumi Poetry in World Languages
💫 Whirling Dervish Sema Demonstration
🎶 Traditional Ney Music by Neyzen Salih Bey
🍽️ Traditional Dinner
RSVP: https://www.jotform.com/form/262125363187154

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 Turquoise Center
9301 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX 77031
👗 Attire: Ethnic or Business Casual

Organized by Raindrop Foundation Inc. with Dialogue Institute Houston, in partnership with Arab American Cultural Center, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, Indus Arts Council, Kindness Without Limits, La Casa de España Houston, LiterArteFusion, North American Poetry Society and United Nations Association Houston.

💛 Come experience an evening where cultures meet, hearts connect, and Rumi’s message brings us together.

Space is limited — RSVP today, Link in bio!

HoustonEvents CulturalDialogue Peace Unity RaindropFoundation

08/30/2026

What an inspiring evening of courage, leadership, and legacy! ✨

The Raindrop Foundation was honored to partner in organizing Annual We Series “Women Who Inspire: Honoring Courage, Leadership & Legacy,” an evening celebrating extraordinary women whose courage, leadership, and service continue to strengthen our communities and inspire future generations.

We were honored to welcome Congressman Al Green, who delivered remarks and presented a special proclamation recognizing the significance of the evening.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Harris County and the Office of Commissioner Briones for presenting recognition certificates to our distinguished panelists in acknowledgment of their remarkable contributions and leadership.

A heartfelt thank you to our inspiring panelists:

* Paula McCann Harris — Author, Speaker, Former Global Sustainability Executive
* Nory Angel — President, American Leadership Forum
* Dr. Rathna Kumar — Founder, Anjali Center for Performing Arts; Artistic Director, Samskriti
* Dr. Kavya Manyapu — NASA Space Scientist; Vice Chair, International Astronautical Federation

Our appreciation also goes to Emcee Pooja Lodhia, ABC13 News Anchor and Moderator Sanjay Ramabhadran, Founding Principal of Versa Infrastructure and former METRO Chairman, for helping make the evening so meaningful and memorable.

We are grateful to our partnering organizations Indian American Public Affairs Council (IAPAC), Dialogue Institute Houston, and supporting organizations , BLUME Foundation, and UNA-USA Houston Chapter and to everyone who joined us in celebrating women who lead with courage, purpose, and vision.

Together, we celebrate their stories, their achievements, and the lasting legacy they are creating for generations to come. 💜
Photo courtesy: Rukiye Guven

RaindropFoundation IAPAC DialogueInstituteHouston BLUMEFoundation UNAUSA Houston

08/25/2026

“The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart.”
— Rumi

Dear Friends,

There are moments when words become more than words, when poetry becomes a bridge, music becomes a language, and hearts gather in a shared space of peace and love.

We warmly invite you to our Annual Rumi and Love Program, an evening inspired by the timeless wisdom and boundless spirit of Mevlânâ Jalâleddîn Rumi.

Our annual celebration commemorates the 19th anniversary of UNESCO’s declaration of 2007 as the “International Year of Rumi,” honoring Rumi’s enduring message of love, peace, dialogue, and unity—a message that continues to transcend languages, cultures, and borders.

Join us on September 24 at 6:30 PM for a beautiful evening featuring Rumi poetry in world languages, a Whirling Dervish Sama demonstration, the soulful sounds of Ney music, and a traditional dinner.

Theme: Words of Peace, Voices of Unity

Come as you are, and let poetry remind us of what connects us beyond language, culture, and borders.

📍 9301 West Bellfort Avenue
Houston, TX 77031
🗓️ September 24
🕡 6:30 PM
RSVP link: https://www.jotform.com/form/262125363187154
Please RSVP and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating love, beauty, peace, and the timeless words of Rumi.

08/24/2026

Honoring Courage, Leadership & Legacy
Join us for an inspiring evening honoring extraordinary women whose courage, leadership, and service have strengthened our communities and continue to inspire future generations.
RSVP: https://shorturl.at/IIP79
Women Who Inspire: Honoring Courage, Leadership & Legacy will bring together community leaders, professionals, and advocates to celebrate the accomplishments and lasting impact of remarkable women across business, public service, the arts, science, and civic leadership.
The evening will feature an engaging conversation with:
Paula McCann Harris — Author, Speaker, and Former Global Sustainability Executive
Nory Angel — President, American Leadership Forum, and Former President & CEO, SERJobs
Dr. Rathna Kumar — Founder, Anjali Center for Performing Arts, and Artistic Director, Samskriti
Dr. Kavya Manyapu — NASA Space Scientist and Vice Chair, International Astronautical Federation, & Artist
The conversation will be moderated by Sanjay Ramabhadran, Founding Principal of Versa Infrastructure and former METRO Chairman, with Pooja Lodhia, ABC13 News Anchor, serving as emcee.
Come celebrate women whose stories reflect courage, perseverance, leadership, and service, and be part of an evening designed to connect, uplift, and inspire.

04/21/2026

☕✨ Coffee Night: A Cultural Exchange Experience ✨☕

Join us for an evening where culture, conversation, and community come together!

🌍 Experience the beauty of Pakistani & Turkish traditions through:
🎶 Live artistic performances
🎨 Cultural exhibits
🍽️ Delicious cuisine
☕ Authentic coffee & tea

🗓 Friday, May 1st
🕕 Registration: 6:00 PM | Program: 6:30 PM
📍 Raindrop Center, Houston

🎟️ RSVP https://www.jotform.com/form/260904790601152

Let’s connect hearts and inspire minds through the power of cultural exchange. Bring a friend and be part of this meaningful evening!

03/13/2026

What an inspiring evening as we gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” The program brought together women leaders, professionals, and community members for a meaningful night of dialogue, reflection, and celebration.

The evening began with registration and a welcoming reception, followed by an engaging program recognizing remarkable women who are making a difference in our communities.

Program started with the opening speech Daji Aswad, Broadcast Meteorologist at KPRC-2, who served as our wonderful Master of Ceremonies and guided the evening with warmth and professionalism

Nazlı Çizmeci, Director of the Dialogue Institute; Dr. Rima Adil, President of UNA-Houston; and Fort Bend County Court Judge Juli Mathew offered their remarks before the award ceremony.

We were honored to celebrate the achievements of Mayor Carol K. McCutcheon, Dr. Roopa Gir, Sheroo Mukhtiar, and Heidi Powell, whose leadership and dedication continue to inspire others.

Throughout the evening, a shared message emerged from the conversations and reflections: when women are empowered through education, leadership opportunities, and supportive communities, the impact extends far beyond individuals to families, communities, and future generations. The honorees highlighted the importance of mentorship, civic engagement, and ensuring that young women and girls have the resources and confidence to pursue their dreams.

Following the award ceremony, guests enjoyed a wonderful iftar dinner together, creating a warm space for connection and conversation. The evening concluded with beautiful music performance by Voices of Ashk and dance performance by Texas Turkish Heritage Dance group that celebrated culture, unity, and the spirit of the occasion.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special celebration and to our partners and volunteers who helped make the evening possible. Together, we continue working toward a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive.

Photo credits: Rukiye Guven

03/08/2026

Happy Women’s Day! 🌸

Join us on Thursday, March 12 at 5:30 PM as we come together to celebrate International Women’s Day and honor the achievements, leadership, and impact of women in our community.
This is a women exclusive program.

RSVP: https://url-shortener.me/G7M7

10/27/2025

10/27/2025

Alperen Tas accepted the Global Visionary Award on behalf of Raindrop Foundation Inc. from Representative Suleman Lalani and Arun Gir CEO of iEducate at the Houston’s United Nations Day 2025 Gala hosted by UNA Houston