US hosts Iftar in Ahmedabad to celebrate Gujarat's diversity

Iftar 'diplomacy' in Gujarat by the American Consulate assumes significance against the backdrop of the US' refusal to grant visa to Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Ahmedabad is the second venue in western region after Mumbai, which was chosen by the US among other options including Goa, Chattishgarh and Madhya Pradesh to host Iftar.

"The US Consulate General Mumbai is pleased to host an Iftaar in Ahmedabad to promote inter-faith relations and goodwill, as well as offering an occasion to celebrate Gujarat's diversity," US Consul General Peter Haas said in a statement.

"For years we have been hosting Iftaars in Mumbai, but this will be our first in Ahmedabad and we hope to hold them throughout Western India over the coming years," he said.

People from all walks of life, including academicians, event organisers, clerics, archbishop, corporate honchos spanning different communities, participated in the event.