At the Maritim Hotel in Hannover, the traditional Iftar dinner hosted by MÜSİAD Lower Saxony brought together numerous guests from diplomacy, politics, business and civil society.

Among the distinguished guests were Hannover Consul General Yusuf Arıkan and his wife Selin Arıkan, Trade Attaché Yasemin Coşkun Özak, Religious Affairs Attaché Teyfik Altınpınar, Education Attaché Prof. Dr. Yüksel Özdemir, German Federal Parliament Member Adis Ahmetovic (SPD), Mayor of Hannover Belit Onay, Mayor of Delmenhorst Murat Kalmış, Hannover Police President Gwendolyn von der Osten, Managing Director of the Hannover Chamber of Crafts Peter Karst, DAVA Party Lower Saxony Chairman Dr. Ali İhsan Ünlü, and MÜSİAD International Organization Head İsmail Filizfidanoğlu.

The program highlighted intercultural unity, solidarity and the unifying spirit of Ramadan.

MÜSİAD Chairman Asalettin Toklu emphasized in his opening speech that Ramadan is not merely a period of fasting: ‘Ramadan is a special time for inner reflection, contemplation and spiritual strengthening. It reminds us of patience, sharing and our human responsibilities. It is the month when compassion and solidarity reach their peak.’

Toklu underlined MÜSİAD’s role as an active part of the German economy: ‘Today, entrepreneurs of Turkish origin are an indispensable part of the German economy.’ He added: ‘We were born here, grew up here, were educated here and work here. We founded our companies here. Our children are here, our future is here. Our cemeteries have been established. Germany is not just where we work – it has become our new homeland, where we live, will live and will die.’

Consul General Yusuf Arıkan highlighted the unifying power of Ramadan in his speech: ‘During Ramadan, people, societies, cultures and religions come together. The spirit of helpfulness and solidarity comes to the forefront.’ He emphasized that different cultures should not divide but rather unite – as demonstrated at this evening: ‘Cultures are the shared wealth of our world and humanity. The Turkish community in Germany has made significant contributions to the country’s development and has become an integral part of Germany today – in sports, business, politics, science and art.’

Federal MP Adis Ahmetovic, Mayor Belit Onay, Managing Director Peter Karst and Dr. Ali İhsan Ünlü also emphasized that Ramadan strengthens solidarity between people and cultures, and acknowledged the contributions of the Turkish community to Germany’s social and economic development.

Programme

04:30 PM – Reception
Opening Speech: Asalettin Toklu (MÜSİAD Chairman)
Greetings from Distinguished Guests
Joint Iftar (Fast-Breaking)
Networking & Exchange

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