2009 Ramadan "Iftar" Dinner Remarks by Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard

September 9, 2009

Ambassador Remarks during Iftar dinner (U.S. Embassy photo)

Ramadan Kareem.

It is an honor for me and my wife Anne to welcome you here tonight, to celebrate Ramadan, a month that is holy to Muslims from all over the world, including in the United States.  

Ramadan is also a time of renewal and, in the United States, we are experiencing our own renewal in a sense, with a new President who has captured the imagination of so many around the world.  This marks the first Ramadan since President Obama outlined his vision for a new beginning between America and Muslim communities around the world. 

As part of our deepening dialogue with Muslim communities that began on inauguration day and has continued with his statement on Nowruz, during trips to Ankara and Cairo and with interviews with media outlets such as Al Arabiya and Dawn TV, I would like to share the President’s Ramadan Message with you now:

****PLAY PRESIDENT OBAMA’S RAMADAN REMARKS VIDEO (five minutes)****

This is my second year hosting an Iftar dinner here in Greece and I want to echo what President Obama just said:  I hope we will continue to deepen our dialogue here as well, based on shared values and mutual respect. 

 Sitting at the crossroads between East and West, North and South and amongst people of different faiths, Greece has an important role to play in such dialogues.  We too must do our part – as diplomats, government officials, religious leaders, community leaders, educators and journalists. Seeing the spirit of Ramadan bring us together tonight gives me hope that we can work to grow the mutual respect and friendship between our countries, our citizens and between people of all faiths.

Thank you all for being here tonight and, once again, Ramadan Kareem.