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Press from Sudan Published in Alsharq Alawsat

If we ever doubted the significance and power of our English Conversation and Cultural Exchange Groups...

Mrs. Amira Mohamed Taha Ismil, a diplomatic spouse from the Embassy of Sudan and a member of a THIS English Conversation and Cultural Exchange Group sent our President a long article titled “The Other Face of America” written by her mother, Fatima Saadaldin, a journalist writing for Alsharq Alawsat, known as the “International Newspaper of the Arabs”, with a circulation of over 200,000 in the Middle East and Maghreb.  Mrs. Saadaldin attended a number of English Conversation Group meetings with her daughter and after a detailed description of her experience in several of these meetings, had this to say:

“What is really particular and unique about ...THIS...this intellectual group, is the simplicity of their nice gathering, the way these sessions are prepared, the dishes, snacks, and beverage each one of them voluntarily brings along with her, this tradition gives the participants a warm sense that they all share, bread and salt, as we say in Sudan, which strengthens their friendship, love and fraternity.

I must admit that The Hospitality and Information Service (THIS) is a well recognized body that spreads  knowledge and experience, a forum for dialog, exchange of diverse views, in the most simplest (of) ways.  Each session strengthens the relationship between its members, sharing a meal, and talking in a cordial manner to bridge civilizations, ideas, and views.

I must express my utmost thanks, gratitude and admiration for the work of this voluntary organization, (consisting of) those distinguished ladies and honorable diplomats' spouses, as well as former female American diplomats and for the glorious message they are bringing to the rest of the world,  for the rest of the world and humanity.  My thanks and gratitude to them for inviting me to these sessions.  These invitations enabled me to have a closer insight, not only about American Society, but also about other societies around the world, and (these gatherings) help others like me in changing our perceptions and ideas about the American people, and to be touched by their humanism, brotherhood, diverse culture, and traditions.  And I hope that my humble participation might change their ideas about Arab and Muslim women and their societies.  I really owe those distinguished ladies a lot for the opportunity they gave me to know another face of the American people, a face we never knew.”

(as graciously translated by Mrs. Amira Taha Ismil; to read the entire article in Arabic please visit the THIS office.)

Press inquiries please contact pressinfo@this.org.