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U.S. Ambassador Niels Marquardt Hosts Iftaar Dinner

Ambassador R. Niels Marquardt hosted U.S. Embassy – Yaounde’s fourth annual Iftaar Dinner, on October 5, 2006. The dinner drew over eighty guests – men and women – from across the Muslim community. Ambassadors from Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt as well as Cameroon’s Vice Prime Minister of Justice Amadou Ali and Minister of Youth Affairs Adoum Garoua attended. The two-hour event included a prayer session, led by the Imam Ahmed Salamah, of the Grand Mosqué; and a Middle Eastern-inspired dinner. Ambassador Marquardt reminded guests that although women were a focus at last year’s U.S. Mission-hosted Iftaar Dinner, this year, they have become a regular feature, as “women must be celebrated, alongside men, in equality.” He expressed the wish that their presence would continue to be a part of the event. Ambassador Marquardt shared with local guests the multicultural nature of American society and his observation that the role of Islam is on the increase. In an interview given after the event, Ambassador Marquardt praised Cameroon for the country’s “active dialogue across the religious spectrum.” The Muslim leaders lauded this Iftaar tradition as a means of enhancing cooperation among faiths and ethnic groups. (photo gallery)