VZCZCXRO6906
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #1001 2760912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 020912Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4595
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0726

UNCLAS NIAMEY 001001 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W DENNISON, AF/RSA HARPOLE, AF/PDPA LISENBY, 
ECA/PE/V/R/A MOYES AND BUTLER, AND ECA/P/A MKIRSCH 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL PGOV PHUM SOCI KCOR KPAO KISL NG
SUBJECT: Embassy Iftaar Series Generates Substantial Goodwill During 
Ramadan 
 
¶1.  As part of post's Islamic outreach initiatives, Embassy Niamey 
sponsored a series of Iftaar dinners during the Muslim holy month of 
Ramadan.  Four separate Iftaars were hosted by the Ambassador, the 
Charge d'Affaires, the PAO and the Public Affairs Section (PAS). 
 
¶2.  On September 10, Ambassador Allen sponsored an Iftaar dinner at 
her residence, which also functioned to introduce the newly arrived 
DCM, Management Officer, and Economic/Consular Officer to the 
community.  Guests included high-level mission contacts in 
government, international organizations, civil society, and members 
of the diplomatic corps. 
 
¶3.  On September 17, PAS Niamey offered a presentation on "The 
Rights of Women in Islam" with presenter Haoua Maikodomi, President 
of local religious educational organization Association Tarbbiyat, 
and alumna of the International Visitors program "U.S. Political 
Process for Emerging Muslim Leaders" (January 7 - 25, 2008).  The 
event was held at the American Cultural Center and was followed by 
an Iftaar dinner.  Attendance was high, with over seventy 
participants, including GON representatives, religious leaders, 
women's rights and civil society organizations, and journalists from 
major television, radio, and print media.  Mdm. Maikodomi's 
presentation was well received, and sparked lively debate during the 
question and answer period, particularly on issues regarding gender 
equality, domestic abuse, and inheritance rights.  Mdm. Maikodomi 
also spoke positively of her experiences in the U.S. on the IV 
program and attested to the freedom and respect afforded to 
practitioners of Islam in the United States.  The event garnered 
coverage by four television stations and resulted in articles in 
several local newspapers. 
 
¶4.  On September 19, Charge Whitaker hosted an Iftaar at the CMR for 
50 attendees, including representatives of a broad spectrum of civil 
society representatives from associations ranging in interest from 
anti-trafficking in persons to anti-child labor to human rights. 
Others included GON officials, members of religious organizations, 
and international organization representatives.  Charge Whitaker 
spoke on the spirit of Ramadan, noting both the exterior and 
interior aspects of fasting and sacrifice, as well as pointing out 
the growing significance of Islam in the United States, where 
freedom of religious practice is prized. 
 
¶5.  On September 24, the PAO closed out the mission's Ramadan 
programming by hosting an Iftaar at his residence.  This event was 
geared toward PAS' most important working level contacts, and 
included representatives of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the 
OIC-sponsored Islamic University at Say, the National University, 
local Islamic associations, educational institutions, civil society 
NGOs, and major media owners, executives, and directors. 
Participation neared 100% of those invited, and several attendees 
pointedly expressed their admiration and appreciation for PAS' 
efforts to acknowledge their local religious traditions. 
 
WHITAKER