Distinguished Leaders and Members of the Muslim American community,

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My tenure as Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United States has come to an end.

It has been an honor to represent my country in the United States. My duties have given me the opportunity to enjoy the privilege of observing the important role the Muslim American community plays in American political, democratic, economic and cultural life.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your friendship and heartfelt support that you have so kindly and generously accorded to me throughout my service in Washington D.C. For the past seven years, the Turkish American and Muslim American communities have developed special bonds of friendship, enabling them to support each other on issues of mutual interests.

Muslim Americans marched together with their Turkish American brothers in solidarity, on a number of occasions starting with the “Washington DC Peace and Solidarity Walk” of April 2015. I will never forget the solidarity demonstrated by thousands of brothers and sisters who participated in that march from White House to the Turkish Embassy.

I am confident that the friendship between the two heritage communities will continue to strengthen in the years ahead.

I would like to take this last opportunity to once again express my deep gratitude, and wish you and your families good health, happiness and prosperity,

Serdar Kılıç