Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:47:00 Iraqi President joins the community in iftar
It was Thursday, Sep 25, 2008, the time of the year when the heads of states descend upon the United Nations headquarters in New York from all over the world. Among them was also the first President elect of the Republic of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, who visited the Imam Al-Khoei Foundation in New York and joined the Muslim community in prayers and in a traditional feast of Iftar.
President Talabani was welcomed at the Foundation by H.I. Sheikh Fadhel Al-Sahlani, the Director of the Al-Khoei Foundation, New York and the North American Representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Hussaini .jpg) Al-Sistani. The President was accompanied by his entourage that included Sheikh Hummam Hammoodi, Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee of the Iraqi Parliament; Dr. Hamid Al-Bayati, Iraqi Ambassador to United Nations; Mr. Howar Ziad, Iraqi Ambassador to Canada; President’s Chief of Staff and Dr. Zuhair Humadi, an advisor to Dr. Adel Abdul Mehdi, the Vice President of Iraq.
President Talabani, who had cancelled his meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister to be with the community at the Foundation, briefly spoke to the gathering and expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Al-Sahlani, the Foundation and the .jpg) community for hosting him. Sheikh Al-Sahlani, later presented him with a plaque recognizing his visit and appreciating his hard-work in rebuilding Iraq. Sheikh Al-Sahlani also presented to him a letter of welcome from Sayyid Abdul Sahib Al-Khoei, the Secretary General of the Al-Khoei Foundation. The President stayed with the community for approximately one and a half hours before departing for another appointment.
The event was attended by heads of prominent Muslim organizations, both Shi’a and Sunni as well as diplomats from various embassies. |
