15/06/2011 Ambassador Fatimie hosts a meeting of representatives of Afghan residents in Japan to report on the Council’s efforts to provide support to victims of the March 11th disasters

June 15, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie hosted an representatives of Afghan residents in Japan at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Afghan residents in Japan had donated a total of 1,851,000 yen in support of the victims of the tragic March 11th disasters. The representatives gathered in order to hear a report on how the funds were used and what the outcome was.

Ambassador Fatimie opened the event by offering deepest gratitude and praise to the representatives and all Afghans in Japan for their selfless support and their steadfast solidarity to their Japanese brothers and sisters during these difficult times. The Ambassador encouraged those present to continue their positive proactive nature from here on out, strengthening relationships both with their Japanese neighbors and with each other.

Mr. Jafar Ahmadyar, who headed the Committee in charge of collecting and taking charge of the funds, briefed attendees on the actions the committee had taken to provide furnishings to evacuees from Fukushima in Ibaraki, the funds donated directly to Fukushima – along with drawings of support by Afghan children, and the reaction from the evacuees, concerned officials, and the Japanese public.

In closing, Mr. Jason Pratt, Public Affairs Officer, and Ms. Mako Shiina debuted the first Embassy podcast, which speaks on modern mutual support between Afghanistan and Japan, to the group, promising to spread the news about their noble efforts.

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8/06/2011 Ambassador Fatimie, Afghan delegation meet with Hon. Governor Sato of Fukushima, Hon. Deputy Mayor Katahira of Fukushima City, deliver funds, drawings by Bamiyan children in support

(Photo: From left to right, Mr. Ahmadyar, Ambassador Fatimie and Mr. Hussein (far right) present Hon. Governor Sato with a donation to support the people of Fukushima.) 

June 8, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie along with a delegation of Afghan residents of Japan visited Fukushima City in order to bring 530,000 yen in funds and drawings by children in Bamiyan province, hoping to provide further material and spiritual support to the prefecture in the aftermath of the March 11th disasters and the ongoing nuclear problems. The funds come from the 1,851,000 yen gathered from Afghan residents in Japan.

On May 20th, a delegation including the Ambassador, members of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and Afghan residents of Japan also visited Ibaraki Prefecture in order to bring supplies to evacuees from Fukushima prefecture.

The delegation to Fukushima was made up of Ambassador Fatimie, Mr. Jafar Ahmadyar, Mr. Haji Hussein. 

In the delegation’s meeting with Hon. Governor Yuhei Sato, Ambassador Fatimie expressed deepest condolences on the immense loss of life, damage to property, and the problems that have since affected the people of Fukushima. The Ambassador expressed the solidarity of the Afghan people with the citizens of prefecture, stressing that their resilience and strength would allow them to overcome these difficult obstacles, and presented the Hon. Governor with the artwork and the support funds. In turn, the Hon. Governor expressed his appreciation for the support and said that he values the relationship between Japan, and in particular Fukushima, and Afghanistan.

Following the meeting with the Hon. Governor, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Fukushima City, Hon. Mr. Kenichi Katahira. Ambassador Fatimie also expressed condolences to the Hon. Mayor and pledged that Afghans would stand beside and pray for the people of Fukushima. The Hon. Deputy Mayor conveyed, on behalf of the Mayor and the people of his noble city, sincere gratitude.

Throughout this developing situation, the children of Afghanistan have been particularly sympathetic to the victims of the disasters, having raised money through such groups as the Afghan Red Crescent Society, and held rallies, among other avenues of support.

To see the artwork of the children of Bamiyan, click here for part 1 and here for part 2.

To read news reports of the visit in Japanese, click here.

(Photo: Ambassador Fatimie and the delegarion meet with Hon. Deputy Mayor Katahira.)

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6/06/2011 Ambassador Fatimie welcomes Mr. Yui of NHK to the Embassy

June 6, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie welcomed Mr. Hideki Yui of NHK broadcasting to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Mr. Yui, who has covered or facilitated coverage of the Embassy and Afghan activities in Japan on multiple occasions, has officially been named as the next head of NHK’s Afghanistan-Pakistan bureau. Mr. Jason Pratt, Public Relations Officer for the Embassy, was also present.

Ambassador Fatimie spoke of the tragedies of March 11th, offering his deepest condolences for the victims while praising the resilience of the Japanese people. Ambassador Fatimie continued by offering sincerest congratulations on Mr. Yui’s new and exciting appointment, challenging him to continue in NHK’s tradition of high journalistic standards, to serve as an accurate window for Japanese into the true Afghanistan, and to serve as a civilian bridge between the nations. The Ambassador also offered to be of assistance to Mr. Yui during his time in Afghanistan and the region.

Mr. Yui thanked Ambassador Fatimie for his kind sentiments and declared that he is dedicated to portraying Afghanistan in an honest and fair light.