Ambassador Gene Cretz Hosts First Ever Iftar

 

TRIPOLI – Ambassador Gene Cretz hosted the first ever U.S. Embassy Iftar celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan on the evening of September 16, 2009.  Guests included representatives of the media, academic and business communities, and officials. 

During the event, the Ambassador welcomed his guests and shared his observation that common values between Libyans and Americans are best exemplified during this holy month, remarking, “I am struck by the great similarities in our cultures and values.  These are qualities that are celebrated most proudly here in the Holy month of Ramadan: faith, reflection, camaraderie.”

The Ambassador also recognized outstanding Libyan academics and scholars present at the dinner; the students are participants in the prestigious U.S. Fulbright exchange program.  These students are “hallmark examples of what we have to learn from and teach one another,” noted the Ambassador.

Mr. Mustapha Gusbi, the evening’s guest of honor, spoke on the significance of Ramadan to Muslims and Libyan celebratory traditions.  He also introduced a presentation of U.S. President Barak Obama’s Ramadan greetings, in which the President said that “America is committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure. 

That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq. That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.”

That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and . That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.”

Over 250 guests attended the event at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador in Tripoli.  The Ambassador intends to hold a similar event next year.

 

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