The new US Ambassador to NZ. Mr Mark Gilbert visited Ponsonby Masjid on Wednesday, 3 June 2015. This is part of an ongoing dialogue between the US Embassy in NZ and the NZ Muslim community through the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ). The Ponsonby branch was pleased to host this meeting. This meeting was attended by a number dignitaries from the US Embassy including US Consul General Mr James Donegan. The Muslim community was represented by a delegates from Auckland.
Br Ikhlaq Kashkari greeted Mr Gilbert and Mr Donegan on arrival and gave them a tour of the Ponsonby Mosque and a brief overview of the rituals of Islamic prayer and how they are performed. Br Umraji Mohammad gave a brief history of how the Ponsonby Mosque was established in Auckland. Dr Anwar Ghani, Br Ikhlaq Kashkari and Mr Mark Gilbert all spoke briefly at the event. The key focus of these talks was to continue building a strong relationship between NZ Muslims and the US Government.
Br Anwar acknowledged support extended by US Embassy to Young Muslima leadership programme at Waikato led by Sis Aliya and gave a brief overview of his trip to the White House and Singapore where he attended conferences on combating terrorism. Mr. Gilbert appreciated contribution of Br Anwar at these conferences and reiterated US government and his own personal commitment towards working with FIANZ for betterment of our community in NZ. Br. Ikhlaq presented copies of Holy Quran to Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Donegan.
Sitting: Faiyam Khan, James Donegan, Anwar Ghani, Mark Gilbert, Ikhlaq Kashkari, Umarji Mohammed, Ibrar Sheikh
Standing: Shayaz Khan, Mohammed Faiaz, M. Isaac Koya, Yousef Patel, Aneequa Tahira, Suzanne Kashkari, Maimooma Lone, Alamgir