11/10/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends 30th Anniversary of Minato City Declaration as City of Peace; Embassy Participates Minato City Festival 2015

October 10 and 11, 2015:
Minato City Festival was held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October, at wider Shiba Koen area in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The embassy of Afghanistan participated by opening a booth to introduce its rich culture and history, as well as honored having being invited to the one of the main event of the festival, a panel discussion session with the university students to think about peace, by commemorating this year being Minato-ku’s 30th anniversary since it has declared itself as City of Peace in 1985.

The panel discussion session was opened with the attendance of the Honorable Mayor of Minato City Mr. Masaaki Takei, and it was an honor of His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie to communicate with Mayor Mr. Takei at the occasion, by expressing His Excellency’s congratulations for 30th anniversary of the declaration, deep appreciation for the cooperation of Minato City as the embassy of Afghanistan has stationed in the city since 2008, and respect to the local government’s promoting efforts for delivering message of peace to the world. The Honorable Mr. Takei responded with his gratitude that it is such an honor and pleasure to have H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie at the occasion, and appreciated the words that he, too, wishes to work together in the Minato-ku for further promoting the peace. Following the exchange, H.E. Ambassador delivered the keynote speech regarding peace and Afghanistan.

The session continued as H.E. Dr. Fatimie, along with Mr. Ghafoori, first secretary, and Mr. Karimi, second secretary, and 9 university students from Minato City appeared on the stage, and discussed the peace –why it is difficult to attain, relation with religion, and what we can do. Throughout the discussion session and since its preparations, the participating students had expressed that it really was an honor to have H.E. Ambassador Fatimie and the embassy’s involvement to this commemorating event, and for such a complex topic they had learned so much and very much inspired that the event became such a memorable one for them as well as for Minato City. The session was concluded successfully as the students side remarked their willingness that what has discussed be remembered and even small steps may make a positive movement to realize a peaceful world.

The embassy of Afghanistan’s booth opened for 2 days in “peace plaza” area of the festival was visited by number of people. The booth was decorated with the displays of Afghan traditional clothes, dolls, photo panels, etc. Afghan snacks such as goshifil and sambosa, prepared fully by the embassy, were distributed for free of charge, and they were very popular among visitors. 14 embassies of other countries stationing in Minato City also had their booths, and it was an honor of the embassy to receive Mayor Takei’s visit there by representing Afghanistan. Additionally, it was a pleasure of the embassy to communicate and further strengthen the friendly inter-embassy relationship with other embassies, as well as local residents and businesses through this event. The embassy of Afghanistan in Japan expresses its deep appreciation to Minato City Office and the officers for the coordination and cooperation for the embassy’s successful participation for the entire occasion.