Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NEWDELHI7304
2006-10-23 12:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
EMBASSY HOSTS ONE OF DELHI'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS
how-toVZCZCXRO7252 OO RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHNE #7304 2961235 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 231235Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9806 INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4087 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7496 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 7578 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0586 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8223 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0257 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3939 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 6870 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 6923 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 5725 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 3109 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 6152 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 3726 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2633 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4941 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHMFISS/HQ USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
UNCLAS NEW DELHI 007304
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL KISL SOCI KPAO IN
SUBJECT: EMBASSY HOSTS ONE OF DELHI'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS
IFTARS
UNCLAS NEW DELHI 007304
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL KISL SOCI KPAO IN
SUBJECT: EMBASSY HOSTS ONE OF DELHI'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS
IFTARS
1. (SBU) Mission India hosted its Iftar on October 18 in New
Delhi. Now an annual event, this Mission Iftar is eagerly
awaited by the Muslim community and has become one of the
"must attend" Iftar parties during the fasting month of
Ramzan. Influential Muslims attended from all over India.
Many who were not on the initial guest list, even called to
request invitations. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit held
her own grand Iftar across town on the same day, competing
for many of the same guests, but this did not appear to have
cut into attendance, estimated at 145. Some guests attended
both events and told us that the Embassy Iftar is viewd
within the Muslim community as far more substantive and
dignified. This event provides an excellent opportunity for
Mission personnel to interact with Muslims from every major
sect and many geographic areas. As was the case last year,
Muslims from antagonistic sects and factions met on neutral
ground to exchange Iftar greetings and discuss current
politics. Press coverage has been positive.
2. (SBU) Embassy officers from a variety of sections
interacted with Muslim contacts made over the years via
Mission-sponsored exchange and outreach programs. The
Charge's address stressed Islam's many contributions to India
and the world and US willingness to work closely with Muslims
to address pressing world problems, as well as shared
US/Muslim values, such as family, education, peace and
tolerance. Muslim leaders were particularly moved and
favorably impressed by the Charge's pledge to work with
Muslims on eradicating the threat of polio. Polio has made a
resurgence in India, with many experts attributing its
resilience to Muslim reluctance to participate in the
immunization program. His remarks were well-received by the
friendly audience.
3. (SBU) CNN-IBN produced a sympathetic TV spot that
highlighted the fact that the US Embassy was the only
non-Muslim mission to host an Iftar. The spot ran
approximately every two hours throughout the day on October
19. In addition to a sound bite from the Charge about the
long-standing tradition of the USG hosting Iftars and footage
of his speech, the story also featured sound bites from a
Shia Imam from Lucknow and guests from around India, as well
as details of the menu, shots of guests breaking the fast,
and footage of the Imam's Qu'ran recitation. The Mission
continues to receive letters of thanks from participants,
filled with praise for the event. With the Embassy Iftar
receiving growing and positive attention from the Muslim
community, next year's event promises to be eagerly
anticipated.
4. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
PYATT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL KISL SOCI KPAO IN
SUBJECT: EMBASSY HOSTS ONE OF DELHI'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS
IFTARS
1. (SBU) Mission India hosted its Iftar on October 18 in New
Delhi. Now an annual event, this Mission Iftar is eagerly
awaited by the Muslim community and has become one of the
"must attend" Iftar parties during the fasting month of
Ramzan. Influential Muslims attended from all over India.
Many who were not on the initial guest list, even called to
request invitations. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit held
her own grand Iftar across town on the same day, competing
for many of the same guests, but this did not appear to have
cut into attendance, estimated at 145. Some guests attended
both events and told us that the Embassy Iftar is viewd
within the Muslim community as far more substantive and
dignified. This event provides an excellent opportunity for
Mission personnel to interact with Muslims from every major
sect and many geographic areas. As was the case last year,
Muslims from antagonistic sects and factions met on neutral
ground to exchange Iftar greetings and discuss current
politics. Press coverage has been positive.
2. (SBU) Embassy officers from a variety of sections
interacted with Muslim contacts made over the years via
Mission-sponsored exchange and outreach programs. The
Charge's address stressed Islam's many contributions to India
and the world and US willingness to work closely with Muslims
to address pressing world problems, as well as shared
US/Muslim values, such as family, education, peace and
tolerance. Muslim leaders were particularly moved and
favorably impressed by the Charge's pledge to work with
Muslims on eradicating the threat of polio. Polio has made a
resurgence in India, with many experts attributing its
resilience to Muslim reluctance to participate in the
immunization program. His remarks were well-received by the
friendly audience.
3. (SBU) CNN-IBN produced a sympathetic TV spot that
highlighted the fact that the US Embassy was the only
non-Muslim mission to host an Iftar. The spot ran
approximately every two hours throughout the day on October
19. In addition to a sound bite from the Charge about the
long-standing tradition of the USG hosting Iftars and footage
of his speech, the story also featured sound bites from a
Shia Imam from Lucknow and guests from around India, as well
as details of the menu, shots of guests breaking the fast,
and footage of the Imam's Qu'ran recitation. The Mission
continues to receive letters of thanks from participants,
filled with praise for the event. With the Embassy Iftar
receiving growing and positive attention from the Muslim
community, next year's event promises to be eagerly
anticipated.
4. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
PYATT