Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK1280
2007-10-15 10:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
Embassy Events Marking Ramadan and Orozo Ait
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UNCLAS BISHKEK 001280
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/PPD AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAO SCUL KG
SUBJECT: Embassy Events Marking Ramadan and Orozo Ait
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
UNCLAS BISHKEK 001280
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/PPD AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAO SCUL KG
SUBJECT: Embassy Events Marking Ramadan and Orozo Ait
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) On September 25, the Ambassador hosted an Iftar dinner for
local religious leaders and members of the diplomatic corps and
interfaith community. Over forty guests joined Embassy staff for
this event. In her remarks, the Ambassador emphasized the positive
spirit of cooperation between the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan and readiness
for future achievements. Mufti Murataly aji Jumanov expressed his
appreciation for the event, noting that this gesture showed the
Ambassador's and the United States' respect for the Muslims of
Kyrgyzstan.
2. (SBU) On October 1, the Ambassador hosted an Iftar dinner in the
more religiously observant southern city of Jalalabad. Over 25
religious leaders and alumni of the USG-sponsored community
connections program for religion in the southern capitals of
Jalalabad and Osh joined the Ambassador and Embassy staff at this
event. The governor of Jalalabad Oblast was the highest-level
Kyrgyz guest. The dinner marked the first time the USG hosted such
an event in the city, and guests expressed their gratitude for
recognizing the Muslim community in such a respectful and successful
way. Noting that the Embassy hosted a southern Iftar dinner last
year in the city of Osh, several guests commented that the United
States was the only diplomatic mission to reach out so actively to
the Muslim faithful in the south.
3. (SBU) On October 12, the Deputy Chief of Mission continued the
tradition of a senior member of the Embassy staff addressing those
gathering for morning prayers on Orozo Ait in downtown Bishkek.
Speaking in Kyrgyz, the DCM told the more than 50,000 Muslim men
gathered in the square and adjacent streets surrounding the
Parliament building that the United States hoped that the values
celebrated during Ramadan would lead to a world of greater freedom,
tolerance and peace. The DCM was one of four diplomatic officials
who spoke at the event. The others were the Iranian and Pakistani
Ambassadors, who spoke in their native languages with
interpretation, and the Turkish Embassy Religious Affairs Officer,
who also spoke in Kyrgyz. The event was broadcast live on Kyrgyz
television.
4. (SBU) The Ambassador also issued a public greeting to all the
citizens of Kyrgyzstan on behalf of the United States in honor of
Orozo Ait. The Ambassador's statement was widely placed in print
and internet media and was read during newscasts on independent
Channel 5 seen in Bishkek and Osh, with a potential audience of 1.5
million viewers.
Yovanovitch
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/PPD AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAO SCUL KG
SUBJECT: Embassy Events Marking Ramadan and Orozo Ait
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) On September 25, the Ambassador hosted an Iftar dinner for
local religious leaders and members of the diplomatic corps and
interfaith community. Over forty guests joined Embassy staff for
this event. In her remarks, the Ambassador emphasized the positive
spirit of cooperation between the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan and readiness
for future achievements. Mufti Murataly aji Jumanov expressed his
appreciation for the event, noting that this gesture showed the
Ambassador's and the United States' respect for the Muslims of
Kyrgyzstan.
2. (SBU) On October 1, the Ambassador hosted an Iftar dinner in the
more religiously observant southern city of Jalalabad. Over 25
religious leaders and alumni of the USG-sponsored community
connections program for religion in the southern capitals of
Jalalabad and Osh joined the Ambassador and Embassy staff at this
event. The governor of Jalalabad Oblast was the highest-level
Kyrgyz guest. The dinner marked the first time the USG hosted such
an event in the city, and guests expressed their gratitude for
recognizing the Muslim community in such a respectful and successful
way. Noting that the Embassy hosted a southern Iftar dinner last
year in the city of Osh, several guests commented that the United
States was the only diplomatic mission to reach out so actively to
the Muslim faithful in the south.
3. (SBU) On October 12, the Deputy Chief of Mission continued the
tradition of a senior member of the Embassy staff addressing those
gathering for morning prayers on Orozo Ait in downtown Bishkek.
Speaking in Kyrgyz, the DCM told the more than 50,000 Muslim men
gathered in the square and adjacent streets surrounding the
Parliament building that the United States hoped that the values
celebrated during Ramadan would lead to a world of greater freedom,
tolerance and peace. The DCM was one of four diplomatic officials
who spoke at the event. The others were the Iranian and Pakistani
Ambassadors, who spoke in their native languages with
interpretation, and the Turkish Embassy Religious Affairs Officer,
who also spoke in Kyrgyz. The event was broadcast live on Kyrgyz
television.
4. (SBU) The Ambassador also issued a public greeting to all the
citizens of Kyrgyzstan on behalf of the United States in honor of
Orozo Ait. The Ambassador's statement was widely placed in print
and internet media and was read during newscasts on independent
Channel 5 seen in Bishkek and Osh, with a potential audience of 1.5
million viewers.
Yovanovitch