Ambassador McCulley Donates Sewing Machines and Cloth to Members of Muslim and Christian Communities in Mali

President of the Malian Higher Council of Islam Thanks USG for Donation of Sewing Machines and Cloth

On December 27, 2007, Ambassador McCulley presented New Year’s wishes and gifts of sewing machines and cloth to leaders of the Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim communities in Bamako.  In his remarks during the ceremony, the Ambassador highlighted the religious tolerance and freedom that exist both in the United States and Mali, and provided New Year’s greetings on behalf of the American people to the members of the religious communities in Mali.  The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Higher Council of Islam, the Malian Association for the Union and Promotion of Islam, the Muslim Women’s Association, pastors from the Protestant community, and a representative of the Archbishop in Bamako,The sewing machines were distributed to 9 different faith-based organizations throughout Mali.   The program featured the singing of the University of Bamako choir and allowed close to 20 university students to take part in the interfaith ceremony.

This program, timed to celebrate the Eid, Christmas, and New Year, highlighted American respect for all religions and U.S. support for the tolerant nature of Malian society.  The gifts of sewing machines and cloth further indicated American generosity in direct support of the economic development of Mali.