The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) held at the council's headquarters in Washington last night a reception party in honor of the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Turki Al-Faisal. At the beginning of the ceremony, Prince Turki delivered a speech in which he stressed the great role played by the American Islamic organizations to increase understanding and cooperation between the American people and American Muslims in particular and the Islamic peoples in general, noting their significant role in the defense of Islam, Muslims and Islamic issues. Prince Turki also underlined his readiness to support and maintain contacts with the American Islamic and Arab American organizations to facilitate continuation of their efforts and accomplish their objectives. On his part, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad welcomed Prince Turki Al-Faisal and expressed his appreciation for the great efforts made by the Saudi ambassador during his diplomatic tenure in Washington to enhance the understanding of the American people on issues concerning Islam and Muslims through his tours in various American States as well as his support for American Islamic organizations. Chairman of Board of Directors of CAIR Parvez Ahmed, then, handed over Prince Turki CAIR's award of excellence for his efforts in serving Islam and Muslims in the United States. Following the reception party, Prince Turki graced a dinner party held by CAIR on this occasion. The dinner party was attended by members of CAIR board of directors, heads of a number of American-Arab and American-Islamic organizations, and those interested in American-Islamic Relations. Upon his arrival at CAIR's headquarters, Prince Turki Al-Faisal held a meeting with CAIR Board of Directors during which they discussed ways of cooperation to support the Council's efforts in the defense of Islamic and American Muslims issues.
