THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Good evening and
"Ramadan Karim." Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are really glad
you're here. This is the sixth year that we have been pleased to host an
Iftaar at the White House. We're honored to be with you and once again
we're honored to pay tribute to the month of Ramadan.
Islam is a religion that brings hope and comfort to more than a
billion people around the world. It has transcended racial and ethnic
divisions. It has given birth to a rich culture of learning and
literature and science. And tonight we honor the traditions of a great
faith by hosting the Iftaar here at the White House.
I'm so pleased our Secretary of State, Condi Rice, has joined us.
Thank you, Madam Secretary. I'm pleased that Dr. Elias Zerhouni, who is
the Director of the NIH, is with us. Good to see you, Elias. I thank
Imam Eid, from the Islamic Institute of Boston, is with us. I welcome
all the ambassadors and other members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. For Muslims in
America and around the world, Ramadan is a special time of prayer and
fasting, contemplation of God's greatness, and charity and service to
those in need. And for people of all faiths, it is a good time to
reflect on the values we hold in common, including love of family,
gratitude to God, the importance of community, and a commitment to
tolerance and religious freedom.
America is a land of many faiths, and we welcome and honor the Muslim
faith in our nation. Our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens.
Your commitment to your faith reminds us all of the precious gift of
religious freedom in our country. America is a more hopeful nation
because of the talents and generosity and compassion of our Muslim
citizens.
Tonight we have with us a group of special guests -- American Muslims
who are serving our country. We have with us New York City police
officers and a EMT worker who risked their lives to save their fellow
citizens on 9/11; a military doctor and a member of the Navy's Chaplain
Corps; members of our Foreign Service; and military veterans who have
served in Afghanistan and Iraq to protect our country and help those
nations build free and democratic futures.
One of our guests is Farooq Muhammed. Farooq is the son of Pakistani
immigrants, and was born and raised in Brooklyn. He spent the past
decade with the New York City Fire Department, first as an emergency
medical technician and now as a paramedic. Farooq was at the World Trade
Center on 9/11, treating victims when the towers collapsed -- he
narrowly escaped death himself. He also recently volunteered in the
mountains of Kashmir, where he helped treat the victims of last year's
devastating South Asian earthquake. Farooq's courage and compassion
represent the best of the American spirit.
Paramedic Muhammed is a proud Muslim; he is a patriotic American. And
those are characteristics he shares with the other special American
guests gathered in this room. All of you bring credit to your faith. You
make America a better and stronger country, and we're honored by your
presence tonight. (Applause.)
The United States also appreciates the many Muslim nations who stand with
us in the war on terror -- some of whom are represented here tonight.
You know that the majority of the victims of the terrorists have been
innocent Muslims, and many of you have seen terrorist violence in your
own cities and your streets. We welcome you here. We are proud to work
with you to defeat the terrorists and extremists, and help bring a
brighter future to millions of Muslim people throughout the world who
yearn for moderation and peace.
On this special evening, we celebrate the millions of Muslims that we
are proud to call American citizens. We honor the many Islamic nations
that America is proud to call friends. And we renew the ties of
friendship that should bind all who trace their faith back to God's call
on Abraham.
Laura and I are grateful that you're here. Once again, I wish you a
blessed Ramadan. And now Imam Eid will say the blessing. |