Embassy Newscentre

Embassy News 2008-2009

The Public Affairs Officer Sharon White giving NH books to a religious leader  (Photo: George Gadegbeku /US Embassy

Religious Outreach with the Islamic Center Aç Habul Kalah

On January 19, 2009, PAO and Public Affairs staff presented a religious outreach program at the Islamic Center Aç Habul Kalah in Koumassi, a poor section of Abidjan with one of the ity’s largest Muslim communities. More than 600 participants attended the event, including 23 imams and religious leaders from other faiths.  The program included an overview of IRC resources; an introduction to religious freedome and the Muslim community in the U.S.; and a showing of the film ‘A Son’s Sacrifice’ depicting the life of a Muslim family in Queens and the son’s decision to take over the family business of providing Halal meat to the local Muslim community.  The Embassy donated about five hundreds books and brochures to the center’s library, drawing on IIP publications in Arabic, English and French, ARS Paris Nouveaux Horizons books in French, and posters on Muslim Life in America.  The program was featured on national television during its weekly program on Islamic issues and one of the Abidjan newpapers published a report on it.  The audience was enthusiastic and asked many questions about whether Muslims could practice their religion in the U.S., e.g., can women who cover their heads attend public schools.  A senior member of the community commented favorably on the positive impact of the event, noting that before this program, many of the imams did not know there were Muslims living in the U.S.