Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SARAJEVO2783
2006-11-08 15:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:  

THE AMBASSADOR'S IFTAAR DINNER

Tags:  BK PGOV PHUM PREL 
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VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVJ #2783 3121512
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081512Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4792
INFO RUFOAOA/USNIC SARAJEVO
UNCLAS SARAJEVO 002783 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BK PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: THE AMBASSADOR'S IFTAAR DINNER

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 002783

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BK PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: THE AMBASSADOR'S IFTAAR DINNER


1. (U) In celebration of Ramadan, the Ambassador hosted an
Iftaar dinner on October 11 for members of the Islamic
Community as part of a recent series of events involving
Bosnia's religious communities. Dinner guests included many
of Bosnia and Herzegovina's leading Muslim clerics and
academics, including Reisu-l-Ulema Mustafa effendi Ceric, who
opened the event with a traditional blessing. The Ambassador
opened the conversation with a discussion of the cultural and
religious aspects of Bosnian Ramadan. As the evening
progressed, guests drew on the combined knowledge of Bosnia's
top Islamic religious, community and academic leaders for a
lively discussion on Bosnia's religious and cultural
heritage, as well as a comparison between Christian and
Muslim faiths.


2. (U) The Ambassador encouraged his guests to continue their
work on interreligious dialogue within the community, and
cited a recent event at his residence where the highest
ranking Bosnian Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish
religious leaders met to discuss the role of religion in
Bosnia's recent national elections. Responding to the
Ambassador's encouragement, Reis Ceric agreed to host a
religious roundtable in the near future. On November 9, the
Ambassador will again host religious leaders for a discussion
with Dr. John Voll, professor of Islamic history and
associate director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center
for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University.
MCELHANEY