Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS3026
2007-09-28 15:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

Embassy Brussels ftaar Evening: A Multicultural Success

Tags:  PREL SOCI KISL PHUM BE 
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RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHJS RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW
RUEHROV
DE RUEHBS #3026 2711517
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281517Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6468
INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003026 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SOCI KISL PHUM BE
SUBJECT: Embassy Brussels ftaar Evening: A Multicultural Success

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003026

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SOCI KISL PHUM BE
SUBJECT: Embassy Brussels ftaar Evening: A Multicultural Success


1. Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox osted fifty persons at an Iftaar on
September 25, 2007. The focus this year was on younger guests and
sharing experiences as members of diverse societies. Members of
Belgium's Moroccan and Turkish communities present included young
politicians, journalists, student and community leaders. The mood
was warm (even heated at one table of politicos),with guests
pleasantly surprised" at their new appreciation of Americans as
friendly and open people. The presence of USG exchange alumni who
shared their experiences in the U.S. reinforced the credibility of
America's positive story. From all accounts, the evening was a
great success.


2. In remarks after the breaking of the fast and prayers, the
Ambassador underscored the importance of diversity in founding and
building a strong United States. He cited his own history as a
first-generation American whose mother had left Europe from the
Belgian port of Antwerp. He suggested that guests exchange their
families' experiences adjusting to life in a different culture.


3. Tables were arranged by language: Dutch, English and French,
facilitating post's objective to encourage contact between Belgium's
distinct Turkish and Moroccan communities.


4. Conversation at all tables was convivial and open. A former
participant in PD's "Karamah" Muslim women's leadership program and
Ph.D. economist candidate said she had not realized how harassed she
felt as a hijab-wearing Muslim in Antwerp before she visited
Washington, where the lack of comment occasioned by her head
covering was astonishing. She returned with a very positive image
of the U.S. and the desire to continue her studies or to teach
there.


5. At a francophone table, advanced-degree students shared their
experiences as after-school teachers of math or language to younger
persons in their communities. One said the challenge of this
experience was drawing him to politics as a career. One of the
Moroccan musicians commented at the end that he had previously had a
totally different view of Americans; he didn't expect "you to be
interested in us, to be so open to our culture, to be so friendly."


6. At a table of Antwerp guests, conversation focused on the
discrimination to which Muslim businesses were subjected by Belgian
health and other authorities. The state agency whose mission is to
enforce anti-discriminatory acts was also criticized as "toothless."
The openness of the discussion on such topics reflects the
comfortable atmosphere of the evening. At another table, current
controversies concerning the Belgium Muslim executive body that
manages state subsidies were hotly debated by Turkish and
Moroccan-born guests.


7. Havng USG exchange alumni mingling with new guests proved a
good way to reinforce the positive U.S. image. At a Dutch-speaking
table, a "Karamah" alumna also shared her positive U.S. experience,
commenting that "utochtonal" (i.e., native-born0 Belgians have much
to learn from the United States in dealing with cultural and
religious diversity. She shared her surprise at the diversity of
Muslims in American mosques - South Asians, blacks, North African
and sub-Saharan as well, adding that the U.S. Muslim community's
diversity mirrored the broader society.


8. Comment: While a risk, post's efforts to reach "broader,
deeper, younger" to persons previously unknown to the mission worked
well, in part due to the informal atmosphere. Post looks forward to
programs by which to send more Belgians to the U.S. and/or to
provide insights into how diversity is managed and accepted in the
United States. As a first step, one of our 2008 IV candidates, a
senior civil servant whose duties include integrating immigrants,
intends to focus on this subject. End comment.
FOX