Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04DJIBOUTI1494
2004-11-22 09:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:  

EMBASSY DJIBOUTI REACHES OUT FOR RAMADAN

Tags:  PREL OPRC SCUL KPAO DJ 
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UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001494 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPRC SCUL KPAO DJ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DJIBOUTI REACHES OUT FOR RAMADAN

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001494

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPRC SCUL KPAO DJ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DJIBOUTI REACHES OUT FOR RAMADAN


1. (U) SUMMARY: Embassy Djibouti sponsored an information
speech, several Iftaars (fast breakings) and a public
service announcement during the Islamic Holy Month of
Ramadan. Embassy staff also attended several Ifaars as part
of its continued outreach to the country's Muslim community.
END SUMMARY


2. (U) The Ambassador, Political Officer and U.S. Liaison
Officer hosted Iftaars for women leaders, business leaders,
political contacts and defense establishment contacts,
respectively, during the Islamic Holy Month of Ramdan for

2004. Each was well attended and well appreciated. They
served as an excellent opportunity to bring contacts
together from every section, as well as to introduce
influential community members to many of the new staff at
Embassy Djibouti. The inter-agency Women's Iftaar hosted by
the Ambassador and spearheaded by the Pol/Econ Officer, was
particularly well received and well attended by members of
the government, parliament, private business, health and
education sectors. Iftaar attendees often expressed their
gratitude for the consideration the Embassy demonstrated by
organizing events for Ramadan, and some were especially
grateful that they were held in the private residences of
Americans, as opposed to a reception area in town.


3. (U) Djiboutians also reciprocated by hosting Iftaars to
which member of the U.S. Embassy and Camp Lemonier were
invited, among other guests. The Ambassador and CJTF-HOA
Commander General Samuel Helland attended a particularly
sumptuous Iftaar given by the Commander of Djiboutian
Military Forces, General Fathi Ahmed Houssein. Other mission
staff also benefited from invitation that extended from very
simple to more elaborate affairs.


3. (U) The Public Diplomacy Office placed a notice in the
local newspapers in both French and Arabic wishing all
Muslims a safe and productive Ramadan. Public Diplomacy also
organized a "Ramadan Information Speech" for members of the
Embassy and American military Community. The speech,
attended by about 30 Americans, took place at the Embassy
and was offered by a member of a moderate Islamic social
service organization. The Embassy's effort to learn more
about the most important month in this majority Muslim
nation was well received by the mission staff, as well as by
the social service organization, and the event had both
educational and positive word-of-mouth public diplomacy
benefits
RAGSDALE