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U.S. Consul General welcomes visiting American Imam to Jeddah

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 8, 2007

 

U.S. Consul General welcomes visiting American Imam to Jeddah

United States Consul General Tatiana C. Gfoeller met with U.S. Speaker Imam Yahya Hendi at the American Consulate General in Jeddah on Wednesday.  Dr. Hendi is a scholar of comparative religions and a leader in interfaith dialogue.  He is also the Imam of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., the first university in the U.S. to hire a full-time Muslim chaplain.  Consul General Gfoeller is a graduate and former professor in Political Science at Georgetown University.

During their meeting, the Consul General and Imam Hendi discussed educational and cross-cultural linkages between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.  Both noted the importance of inter-faith dialogue and respect among all religions, especially the three great monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Dr. Hendi noted positive U.S. efforts to alleviate poverty, advance human rights, and empower women and young people.

In addition to his work at Georgetown University, Dr. Hendi is the Imam of the Islamic Society of Frederick, Maryland and spokesperson of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of North America.  He also serves as Muslim chaplain to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  

While in Jeddah, Imam Hendi met with officials from the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Islamic Development Bank.  His visit is part of a week-long program in Saudi Arabia, during which he met religious leaders, educators and journalists in Riyadh and Dhahran.  He also gave interviews that will broadcast on Holy Qu'ran radio and Saudi public television in the next few weeks. 

Arabic Version: Click here

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