Islamic Community celebrates Iftaar with US Ambassador

Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum is to celebrate Iftaar Muslim festival with students and staff of Prince Al-Walid Islamic Comprehensive School at Nima on Monday. A statement signed by Ms Zainab M. Mahama of the US Embassy Press Office and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Saturday, said the Accra Embassy had over the years maintained strong and meaningful ties with Ghana's Muslim communities and the celebration was a demonstration of the relationship.

The statement said the US relationship with Muslim communities goes much further than formal programming to include the sharing of its (US) own festive times throughout the year, especially on the Fourth of July, when America celebrates the birth of its democracy.

Ms Mahama said President Barack Obama's has tagged this month of September as a festive time in solidarity with Muslim families and friends as they host Iftaars.

He said the US President also acknowledged the period as time for devotion and reflection, "When fasting during the day reminds us of the principles that we hold in common, principles like justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.

"These principles have all contributed to Ghana's democratic credentials, credentials which were showcased when President Obama chose Ghana as his first stop in sub-Saharan Africa this past July". The statement said in this spirit, the US Ambassador and Sheikh Aremiyao Shauib, an Islamic Educationist would address students and teachers from Accra's Muslim community in Nima, and present Iftaar food parcels to each of the students.

The statement named Embassy support for programs like the Ghana Muslim Academy's 11th Annual M.A. Mujahid Ramadan lectures.