H.E. Mohamed Salim Al-Harthy(모하메드 쌀림 알하르씨)
Ambassador of Oman(주한아랍외교단장)
Dear Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps
Imam Lee Ju-hwa(이주화)
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Ramadan Kareem(라마단 카림)

As you may recall, last year’s Iftar was my very first diplomatic event as Foreign Minister. So I am particularly delighted to host the 15th Iftar at my residence, with the view of the Seoul Central Masjid (Mosque), a beacon and a symbol of Korean Islam, behind me.

The Holy month of Ramadan is not just a month of fasting but indeed a month of solidarity–empathizing with those in need by actually feeling thirst and hunger. It is a month of peace and tolerance through reflection and purification, and an opportunity for us to share what we have in order to live together in harmony.
On this occasion, I find my mind turning to places in the world where there is a great deal of suffering and pain among refugees and internally displaced people-particularly in Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. I sincerely wish for peace, tolerance and healing, which are at the core of the spirit of Ramadan.

Speaking of the spirit of Ramadan, these values of peace and tolerance, enshrined in the principles espoused by the Holy Book of Quran, have laid the foundation of Islamic contribution to the Western civilization. And today, the rich fruits of Islamic civilization continue to shape our modern lives.

Distinguished Guests,

The relationship between Korea and the Islamic world dates back to the Shilla Dynasty, a kingdom that flourished on the Korean Peninsula more than a thousand years ago.

It is said that
, one of the oldest Korean traditional instruments, a wind instrument similar to an Oboe, was introduced to us during the Koryo Dynasty from Islamic countries in the Middle East and Central Asia.
It were the Muslim merchants who came to Korea about a thousand years ago that later spread the name of this land, Korea, through the Silk Road. And a thousand years later, Korea is now contributing to the further development of the Middle East.

Needless to say, the Middle East region is an important partner for Korea especially in the fields of energy and economic cooperation. Asia, where about 70% of the Muslims of the world are located, is also a key area for Korea’s diplomatic diversification.

President Moon Jae-in made state visits to Indonesia in November 2017 and the UAE in March 2018, both within the first year of his inauguration, upgrading the bilateral relations with each of these countries to a Special Strategic Partnership.

The state visits to Korea by the President of Uzbekistan in November 2017 and of Turkey in May 2018 have also served to reaffirm the special relations between Korea and the Islamic world.

In particular, President Moon’s visit to the UAE officially started with the visit to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. I sincerely hope that Korea’s people-first diplomacy and its respect for different cultures have touched the hearts of many of our friends in the Islamic world.
Distinguished Guests,

If you will permit me, I would now like to acknowledge a couple of our guests for the work they are doing to bring us ever closer.

I would like to recognize Mr. Zahid Hussain from Pakistan who came to Korea with the Korean Government scholarship program back in 2008 and who is now a project manager of a Korean Solar company also known for his apperance in one of the last TV series of “(non-Summit meeting)”.

We are also delighted to have here Mr. Mohamed Galal from Egypt, who learned the Korean language in Egypt and is now a lecturer of the Arabic language in Korea.

We are also delighted to see here today Mr. Hasan, a Korean Muslim himself, who runs “Halal Kitchen”, a Korean Halal restaurant in 삼청동, one of the most beautiful districts in Seoul.

In addition, a number of foreign students and professors from Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Gabon, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sudan who are studying or teaching in various universities in Korea are with us this evening.
All of you are playing valuable bridging roles between the peoples of Korea and Islam, especially by expanding academic horizons and deepening mutual understanding.

Last but not least, many Muslim workers from Bangladesh and Pakistan in Korea could not be here with us this evening, but we share our thoughts and minds at this Iftar.

And a final warm welcome also to the CEOs who are here with us. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to request your continued warm consideration for the Muslim workers during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Distinguished Guests,

Last year, I had asked you to pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula, a place where the suffering of separation is very real, coming from more than 70 years of division. And thanks to your prayers and the strong will of the Korean people, the leaders of the South and North met for the first time in 11 years to hold the historic inter-Korean summit, and signed the Panmunjeom Declaration. And just last Saturday, another inter-Korean summit was held to follow up on the Panmunjeom Declaration.
Through such efforts, we will continue to strive to realize our goal of denuclearization and the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. And of course the continued strong support and close cooperation of the international community including the Islamic world will be invaluable.

At this time as we observe the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Korean Peninsula is going through a transformation. We count on your continued support and prayers so that the two Koreas can indeed one day be whole again, living in peace and prosperity.

May peace be upon us all (앗 살라무 알라이쿰). 
Ramadan Mubarak (라마단 무바락)!
Shukran jazeelan (슈크란 좌질란).