AMMAN, JORDAN – The Holy Month of Ramadan started on March 22 and ended last week on April 20, with many Muslim families coming together to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, the end of the month of fasting.
“Ramadan is an important time of spiritual reflection and also time for families to gather and celebrate Iftar, the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan,” said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “Concern for the needy is one of the five pillars of Islam given special consideration during Ramadan, and to show support for the local communities, USA Rice partnered with a major U.S. rice importer here last week to host an Iftar dinner.”
Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Rohit Nepal was the guest of honor at the event held at the Royal Academy of Culinary Art in Amman. More than 150 children attended, representing several orphan care agencies, including Mabarrat Um Al Hussein.
Nepal highlighted the importance of trade between Jordan and the United States, and said the U.S. will continue increasing its efforts to strengthening food trade and support of Jordan’s food supply networks.
“U.S. rice is a well-known household staple in Jordan, used daily by consumers and trusted for its high quality and great taste,” said Somogyi. “It is an honor for USA Rice to reciprocate that commitment by engagement with local communities.”
Other guests at the Iftar included local officials; representatives from the Chamber of Commerce; Elizabeth Mello, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) senior agricultural attaché; and Mohammad Khraishy, the senior agricultural specialist from FAS Amman.
The event was covered by local media outlets and published on USA Rice social media platforms in Jordan.