Her Excellency, Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Ambassador to the Republic of Malta celebrates the Islamic holy month of Ramadan by hosting an Iftar dinner at her residency at Villa Bologna Attard, Malta, on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
Her Excellency said that America respects the freedom of religion and respects all the world religions. she said that there are millions of Muslims living in the United States of America and in Europe. The Imam of the mosque, Muhammad el-Sadi thanked the Ambassador and the staff of the US Embassy in Malta.
Laiq Ahmed Atif, president Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta thanked her Excellency for her kind gesture and honour for this Iftar dinner.
Here, I would also like to quote from the President Barak Obama’s Remarks at the White House Iftar Dinner on August 10. He said:
“Of all the freedoms we cherish as Americans, of all the rights that we hold sacred, foremost among them is freedom of religion, the right to worship as we choose. It’s enshrined in the First Amendment of our Constitution — the law of the land, always and forever. It beats in our heart — in the soul of the people who know that our liberty and our equality is endowed by our Creator. And it runs through the history of this house, a place where Americans of many faiths can come together and celebrate their holiest of days — and that includes Ramadan.
Now, every faith is unique. And yet, during Ramadan, we see the traditions that are shared by many faiths: Believers engaged in prayer and fasting, in humble devotion to God. Families gathering together with love for each other. Neighbors reaching out in compassion and charity, to serve the less fortunate. People of different faiths coming together, mindful of our obligations to one another — to peace, justice and dignity for all people — men and women. Indeed, you know that the Koran teaches, “Be it man or woman, each of you is equal to the other”.”
US Embassy celebrates Iftar
US Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley and her husband Gerard Winstanley at the dinner.
US Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley recently hosted an Iftar reception at her residence in Attard. The Iftar signalled the breaking of the day-long fast in honour of the holy month of Ramadan, and was presided over by Imam Mohamed El Sadi.
Guests included Maltese dignitaries as well as a number of African migrants currently resident in Malta. This was the seventh Iftar dinner organised by the US embassy in Malta.
During the Iftar dinner, Mr El Sadi and Ms Abercrombie-Winstanley spoke about tolerance, interfaith dialogue and the positive aspects of diversity. Mr El Sadi explained that Ramadan emphasised peaceful reflection and goodwill and the importance of intercultural harmony.
Ms Abercrombie-Winstanley emphasised the common values of all religions adding that, “tonight’s Iftar dinner is a celebration of faith and the significance of mutual respect and tolerance”.
/ Sunday, August 26, 2012 / Find Original Post of the Sunday Times:
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta 