Consulate General Events 2009
Consul General Extends His Best Wishes to the Muslim Community During Consulate General Iftar
September 8, 2009 – The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General hosted an Iftar at the Shangri- La Hotel, joining millions of Muslims – including nearly seven million Muslim Americans – in celebrating the holy month of Ramadan.
Representatives of local cultural organizations, educational institutions, and the media attended the event. Also present were Emirati alumni of the Middle East Partnership Initiative Exchange Program, Near East/South Asia Exchange Program, and American Fulbright students and scholars currently in the UAE.
The American Consul General, Justin Siberell, addressed the guests at his first public event since assuming his duties as Consul General. Mr. Siberell, who is a graduate of the State Department’s Arabic Language Field School in Tunis, spoke in Arabic and English.
Mr. Siberell, echoing President Obama’s remarks in Cairo earlier this year said, “Muslims around the world spend the holy month of Ramadan reflecting on faith, man’s place in the world, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.
He added, “The United Arab Emirates honors Ramadan and its own heritage through its openness, diversity, and tolerance, and by setting an example to countries around the world seeking a balance between tradition and modernity."
Click here to read the Consul General’s full remarks.