by guest contributor Joe David
Photo credit: Neshan Naltchayan
The Embassy of Hungry came alive in December, displaying its best holiday spirit, by hosting a sit-down fundraising dinner for the children of the Middle East. With true seasonal graciousness, H.E Doctor Réka Szemerkényi, Ambassador of Hungary, welcomed over 100 prominent guests and shared with them an evening of Middle Eastern music and food, as well as some valuable gifts. Syrian Opera Singer Lubana Al Quntar along with Egyptian Performer and Composer Ramy Adly presented a small selection of Middle Eastern song and music to highlight the evening.
Ambassador of Hungary, Dr. Réka Szemerkényi, hugs Shahin Mafi, founder of the Azar Foundation for Children of the World. Lena Alfi, director of the Middle East Children’s Institute looks on.
“Tonight was created to bring together like-minded people, dedicated to improving the lives of those vulnerable children impacted by conflict and poverty in the Middle East,” Lena Alfi, director of partnerships, Middle East Children’s Institute (MECI) said. “By partnering with the Azar Foundation, we hope by our combined efforts we can help the children obtain a needed education so that one day they may become future leaders of peace. For me, this is a very special evening, one that I hope will enable us to reach our goal of making a significant difference in the lives of many children.”
International recognized Syrian opera singer, Lubana Al-Quntar with Ambassador of Hungary, Dr. Réka Szemerkényi
Ambassador Szemerkényi also shared her special welcome to the guests, gathered in the embassy’s grand ballroom. “This evening is very important to me, as well,” the Ambassador said. “Having the fundraiser at the embassy is my way of expressing my strong support for what is being done in the Middle East by MECI and the Azar Foundation for the Children of the World, especially those traumatized by war. This evening, which required many months of planning, is one that I hope all of you will enjoy, and one that we may share again in the near future to continue our fundraising efforts for this urgent and worthwhile cause.”
Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. David John Newman presents a book of his country to Shahin Mafi
In summing up her commitment to the children of the world, Shahin Mafi, founder/trustee of the Azar Foundation for Children of the World, said that her foundation, which she formed in 2003, “was founded on the belief that if we work together, we can make a difference in the lives of some of today’s most vulnerable children, those trapped by the conflict and poverty in the Middle East. We must never forget that their cry for our help, which can be heard around the world, knows no borders,” she said poignantly. “It is the universal cry of suffering.”
HE Carlos Dos Santos and his wife Maria Isabel Macedo, Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique
She believes the best way to end this suffering is to meet the essential needs of the children and women, trapped by poverty and war. “Both Lena and I have agreed to work together and dedicate our lives to reaching out to children and women broken by war,” Mafi went on to say. “We think by our efforts we will give them the opportunity to attend school and receive the fundamental education they need to repair their lives.”
Egyptian composer and musician, Ramy Adly performs on the Oud
The four-hour gala fundraiser was a festive evening of food, wine, and song. To raise money for the children, everything was discretely sold from the flower arrangements on the tables to the luxury gifts auctioned off to the highest bidder. The profits from all the gifts, which included airline tickets to Botswana and Turkey, and gold jewelry and mosaic art, were all donated to help the forgotten and lost children of the Middle East.
Among the many prominent guests in attendance were: H.E. Ambassador Floreta Faber, Embassy of Albania; H.E. Carlos dos Santos and his wife, Ambassador of Mozambique; Tarek Ben Youssef, African Union; GONZALO Sanchez de Lozada, wife of the former President of Bolivia; Hend Alqatari, wife of Qatar diplomat; Leila Beale, wife of the former ambassador of Barbados; Christine Warnke, Hogan & Lovells; Joan Danziger, prominent artist; Rev. Mark Farr, President, Sustained Dialogue Institute; Elizabeth Klass, President of THIS for Diplomats; June Hajjar, former President, Arts Club of Washington; Caroline Croft, the U.S. Department of State; Sevil Altinsoy of Turkish Airlines; and diplomats from Bangladesh, Kenya, Afghanistan, African Union. Jan Du Plain was Mistress of Ceremonies.
