Amid war, NUSACC unites community in solidarity at annual Iftar
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East – and a moment of silence for innocent victims of war – set the tone for the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce’s 15th annual Iftar earlier this month.
“Tonight, our nation is at war. Our prayers go out to the families who are affected by this war: Families here at home, and families in the Middle East region – including families of NUSACC team members,” said NUSACC President & CEO David Hamod in his opening remarks.
The March 4 event, hosted at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, welcomed top business executives, senior government officials and more than 20 current and former heads of mission, plus foreign ambassadors who represent Muslim-majority nations, to break fast during the month of Ramadan.
During the Iftar celebration, Hamod shared insight into how Iraq shaped the Islamic Golden Age, while Dr. Sheikh Rasoul Naghavi, of Georgetown University, discussed the importance of self-reflection during Ramadan.
“NUSACC thought long and hard about whether tonight’s Iftar should go forward. In the end, in the spirit of Ramadan, we made the decision to proceed,” said Hamod. “Ramadan is a time of compassion and healing, and my sense is that we are going to need a lot of both in the challenging days ahead.”
Photos courtesy of NUSACC.
Embassy of Greece hosts independence day celebration
Dignitaries, distinguished guests and Greek diaspora gathered at The Center for Hellenic Studies on March 25 in honor of Greek Independence Day. Ambassador Antonis Alexandridis presented opening remarks alongside US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael J. Rigas and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV).
“The success of the Greek War of Independence did not only happen on the Greek mainland, it happened because members of the diaspora across the world fought with everything they had…simple people brought up Greek ideals across the world, in America and Europe,” said Ambassador Alexandridis, who assumed his diplomatic post in Washington just last month.
“I am an ambassador on paper and I am an ambassador in title, but you Greek Americans are the true ambassadors of our values and our ideals.”
On the topic of US-Greece ties, Guilfoyle spoke on recent pacts, including the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation, where the US “signed the first ever long-term commercial agreement linking US liquified natural gas suppliers to the region for decades to come” and an economic security declaration between the US and Greece.
“Thie United States and Greece are fully committed to border security and enhancing our security relationship through military sales, increased interoperability and robust defense spending,” said Guilfoyle. “When Americans and Greeks stand together, united by shared values, a common purpose and vision, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”
Photos by The Washington Diplomat.
