Programs and Events 2008
Four American Muslim Citizens Talk About Muslim Life in America
Four American Muslim citizens, Imam Talal Y. Eid, Mr. Khaled Paymozd, Ms. Hiba Arshad, and Ms. Nausheen Hassan, visited Finland September 15-16 as part of the U.S. State Department’s Citizen Dialogue program which empowers American Muslim citizens to tell their personal stories to key overseas audiences, underscoring that Islam is a vibrant part of American society. They serve as messengers to brother and sister Muslims overseas, many of whom are not aware of the strength and diversity of Muslim life in America.
The group visited Turku on Monday where they had meetings with Turun Sanomat, members of the Turku Islam Association, discussion with the representative of Turku Youth Office at the Cultural Center Vimma and ending with a panel discussion at the Åbo Akademi with students. On Tuesday in Helsinki they met with members of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations, representatives of local Muslim community first over a roundtable at the U.S. Embassy and later during the day at the Cultural Center Caisa. Mr. Paymozd was also interviewed by local radio station Lähiradio. The group also attended an Iftaar dinner hosted by Ambassador Barbara Barrett.