Ambassador Ricciardone at Üsküdar Iftar Tent in Istanbul

July 30, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Frank J. Ricciardone (Photo: Aydan Yurdakul)

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone together with The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip H. Gordon and U.S. Consul General Scott Kilner helped municipality caterers to serve iftar meals in Üsküdar Iskele Meydanı, Istanbul with the Mayor of Üsküdar Mustafa Kara. Ambassador Ricciardone also gave remarks before the iftar dinner, and then took a tour of the Bağlarbaşı Cultural Center and watched the children's show.

Ramazan, which began on July 20 and runs through August 18, is a season of festivity. During this time, most Turks participate in ritual fasting during the day and ebullient iftars in the evening. In Istanbul, most of the city’s 39 municipalities host some form of public iftar and entertainment nearly every night. Public festivities which run late into the night are designed to bring neighbors and families together.