On November 4, seven AYUSA students from Iraq, Yemen, the West Bank, Morocco, Turkmenistan and Russia ended their Ramadan fast for the day in the company of United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell. These students are representatives of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) or the Partnership for Learning Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs. They were participating in an annual tradition at the Department of State – the Iftar dinner, a meal taken during Ramadan to break daily fasting.

This was the 4th Iftar dinner sponsored by the US Department of State and Secretary Powell shared the dinner with over 100 members of the international Muslim community, including YES students from AYUSA and other host organizations. The YES Program was approved in 2003 by the U.S. Department of State and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to conduct youth exchange programs with predominantly Islamic countries and regions such as Gaza and West Bank, Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Indonesia and many others.

Secretary Powell spoke first about the recent election and then invoked the importance of youth and the valuable perspective afforded by inviting international students to the US.

“I always make a point—it started last year—to have young people at my table because it's fun to hear what they see while they are here in America and it's interesting to see what their observations are about their experiences here in America. And I certainly had that reinforced again this evening as we had a terrific conversation at our table.”

Hala Sharkas, a Palestinian student from the West Bank, was one of the seven AYUSA students who attended the dinner. Hala commented that the Iftar dinner was a great experience not only personally, but also as part of a larger effort to build cultural understanding. “The Iftar brings students together from all over to celebrate an important cultural tradition and helps acknowledge that Muslims are an important part of the United States rather than foreigners and strangers with strange traditions. After 9–11 it is important to re–enforce that America is a country of opportunity and tolerance for everyone”, said Sharkas.

Hala's comments echoed Secretary Powel's speech at the dinner: “As the Iftar welcomes all in a spirit of brotherhood, so America has been open to all, welcoming to all—as we can see in the diverse and thriving Muslim community in America today.” Powell continued, “As Muslims who study or who live in America, we hope that you will serve as a bridge to help overcome the misunderstandings that slow the progress in which we all have such a great stake.”

AYUSA is a prime grantee for the YES program. Along with its partner organizations, AYUSA's efforts directly contribute to the U.S. focus on citizen diplomacy.

For more information on the YES Program, contact Megan Kenny at (800) 727-4540 x. 593