28 August 2010 / MEHMET DEMIRCI , NEW YORK
The consuls general of more than 20 nations who are working in New York gathered with dozens of diplomats working at the UN for a fast-breaking iftar dinner hosted by the Turkish Cultural Center (TCC) in New York.
The group was the latest invited to a series of iftars sponsored by the cultural center. Representatives at the dinner came from countries such as Germany, Argentina, Japan, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Macedonia and Kazakhstan. The program for the evening began with a kanun concert and an introductory film about the TCC. The call to prayer (adhan) was then sung in the hall as visitors listened attentively. A Turkish student sat at each of the iftar tables, answering guests’ questions on Ramadan and Turkey. TCC administrator Mehmet Kılıç explained: “To be quite honest, we weren’t expecting this much interest in the program. It was a wonderful night; we realized once more that Turkey is a country that is receiving more and more attention with each passing day. Many of the consuls present said it was the first time they had been invited to such a program.”German Consul-General Oliver Schnakenberg said he was no stranger to the iftar concept, as he had once served in a Muslim country. “I’m very happy to have participated in this [TCC] program,” he said. But Bahamas Consul-General Carl Francis Smith said it was the first time he had been to an iftar. “My country is a Christian country. It was extremely interesting for me to participate in such a program. The Bahamas’ doors are open to every religion and culture. I would like to thank the cultural center for inviting me to this program,” he said. The program ended with guests sharing their experiences with one another over Turkish coffee.
