Bush Hosts Traditional Ramadan Dinner at White House
By Scott Stearns
Washington
05 October 2007
President Bush welcomed Muslim leaders to the White House Thursday evening for an Iftaar dinner breaking the fast during the holy month of Ramadan. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story.
President Bush (upper left) speaks at Ramadan Iftaar dinner at White House, 4 Oct. 2007
President Bush (upper left) speaks at Ramadan Iftaar dinner at White House, 4 Oct. 2007
The special guests at this year's Iftaar dinner were American Muslim women who have contributed to the nation's science, education, arts, and culture.
Mr. Bush said Ramadan is a time of charity and service to those less fortunate and a time to celebrate Islam's learned and vibrant culture which he says he enriched civilization for centuries. "Ramadan is also a good time for Americans of all faiths to reflect on the values we hold in common including love of family, gratitude to the Almighty, devotion to community, and a commitment to religious liberty," he said.
Today, the president said, the world is at war with violent extremists who seek to stop the advance of freedom in Muslim societies around the world. "They attack holy sites, destroy mosques and minarets, and kill innocent men, women and children including Muslims who do not share their radical views. They believe that by spreading chaos and violence they can frustrate the desire of Muslims to live in freedom and peace. We say to them, 'You do not represent Muslims. You do not represent Islam. And you will not succeed,'" he said.
Mr. Bush says America is standing with mainstream citizens across the Middle East including Iraqis who voted for a democratic future and Lebanese who are reclaiming their freedom and independence.
This was the seventh Iftaar dinner the president and Mrs. Bush hosted at the White House for American Muslim leaders and ambassadors and representatives from Muslim nations.
U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Abuhena Saifulislam offered the evening's prayer. "On this day and days to come, by all our differences, by all our aspiration, by fear by sorrow and joy in life and death, teach us and lead us nearer to you. Almighty God, thank you for the fellowship, and please bless the food that we are about to share. We all ask this in your Almighty name and recognize you as our provider and sustainer. Amen," he said.
Saifulisam quoted the Prophet Mohammad as saying that whoever in the month of Ramadan invites a person to break their fast, that person receives the same reward as the person who is fasting. So, "Mr. President", he said, "we have got you covered, man."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
October 04, 2007 08:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Remarks by the President at Iftaar Dinner
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
State Dining Room
7:16 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Please be seated. Ramadan Mubarak. Laura and I are pleased to have you here for our seventh Iftaar dinner. Tonight we celebrate traditions of Islamic faith, which brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people. For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting. It is a time for charity and service to those less fortunate. It's a time to celebrate Islam's learned and vibrant culture, which has enriched civilization for centuries.
Ramadan is also a good time for Americans of all faiths to reflect on the values we hold in common -- including love of family, gratitude to the Almighty, devotion to community, and a commitment to religious liberty. The freedom of worship is central to the American character. It's the first protection in the Bill of Rights. It holds together the fabric of American society -- supporting every individual's right to practice his or her beliefs without fear.
Today, our world is at war with violent extremists who seek to tear the fabric of our society -- and stop the advance of freedom in Muslim societies around the world. They attack holy sites, destroy mosques and minarets, and kill innocent men, women and children -- including Muslims who do not share their radical views. They believe that by spreading chaos and violence they can frustrate the desire of Muslims to live in freedom and peace. We say to them, you don't represent Muslims, you do not represent Islam -- and you will not succeed.
America is standing with mainstream citizens across the broader Middle East. We stand with nearly 12 million Iraqis who voted for a democratic future for their children. We're standing with Afghan people, as they defend their young democracy against the Taliban and al Qaeda. We're standing with the Lebanese people, who raised the banner of a Cedar Revolution to reclaim their freedom and independence. We're standing with all who seek the blessings of liberty -- and the peace that freedom brings.
Americans have a history of standing with Muslims facing suffering and hardship -- and it's a proud history. Our country defended Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo after the breakup of Yugoslavia. We supported Kuwait after it was invaded by Saddam Hussein. Americans came to the aid of victims of devastating earthquakes in Pakistan, India, and Iran. Americans responded with urgency and compassion to the wreckage of the tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka and Thailand. We're rallying the world to confront the genocide in Sudan, and deliver humanitarian aid for those in dire need. And we support the establishment of a Palestinian democracy to live side by side with Israel in peace.
As you break your Ramadan fast at this Iftaar dinner, let us renew our faith in the universality of freedom. Let us celebrate the millions of Muslims that we are proud to call American citizens. And let us honor the many Muslim nations that America is proud to call friends.
Laura and I are grateful you're here. Thank you for coming. We wish you a blessed Ramadan. And now I ask the Imam to say the blessing.
END 7:20 P.M. EDT
No comments:
Post a Comment