Speeches

Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Stephen Schwartz, at the
Islamic Cultural Center (ICC) Book Donation

Monday, December 19, 2005

Members of the Board of the Islamic Cultural Center

Ladies and Gentlemen

I’d like to thank Chairman Sayed Hossen and Director Mownah for the opportunity to visit the Center today.  Several months ago Mr. Mownah wrote to me asking if the U.S. Embassy could make a donation to strengthen the Center’s library. 

I am pleased that today we are able respond positively with a donation of 115 books covering a wide range of topics of interest to the library’s users.  Among these topics are economics, management, international relations, Islam in America, Religious Pluralism in the U.S., American studies, environment, law, and the arts. 

Most of the books are in English, about 1/3 are in French. Almost all were written by American authors, which I hope will convey to the Mauritian public the range of ideas and peoples in the United States. 

The ICC plays an important role in Mauritius and, in particular, as a resource for the country’s Muslim population.  The U.S. Embassy hopes to continue its already excellent relationship with ICC to further improve the level of understanding and good feeling that exists between our two institutions and between the American and Mauritian people.