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<p>I'd like to think that with Ramadan rolling around again, President Bush at least considered calling off his annual White House dinner with assorted Muslim luminaries to break their holiday fast. No other religious group — not Jews, Catholics, Protestants or even Druids — rates an official celebration like the Iftaar supper, a White House "tradition" since 2001. That was the year the United States first decided that "reaching out" to Muslims following Muslim terrorist attacks on the United States was a good idea. Three Ramadans later, a sense of dining entitlement has no doubt kicked in that's harder to buck than not.</p>

October 30, 2003 George W. Bush President of the United States of America Dear Mr. President: I am writing to convey my disappointment over remarks that were spoken by you regarding Islam, and also to express my strong disapproval of the recent "Ramadan Dinner" that occurred at the White House. Mr. President, I realize the need for diplomacy; but, sir, you have gone too far--almost to the point of appeasement. Our enemies will not suddenly regain their sense of humanity, and tomorrow cease to hate America--simply because the President of the United States hosts a Ramadan Dinner at the White...

At yesterday's White House press conference, President Bush was asked about the chilly reception he received from Islamic leaders at an Asian summit last week in Indonesia. These leaders asked Bush why Americans think all Muslims are terrorists. Bush replied that the leaders were mistaken - Americans know perfectly well that terrorism is restricted to "the acts of a few." The President has been saying this since 9/11. It's possible that many people here believe him. But quite obviously, the Islamic world doesn't. Why not? The answer isn't complicated. Muslim leaders know better. And they think Bush does, too. Part...

ACLU Sues Bush for White House Ramadan Feast (2003-10-29) -- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today filed suit against the Bush administration, claiming that the annual White House Ramadan feast is an "egregious breach of the separation of church and state." "This is worse than saying 'under God' during the Pledge at public school," said an unnamed ACLU spokesman. "The President himself hosted this explicitly-Muslim feast in the peoples' house -- the White House. Taxpayer dollars were used to pay for some or all of the food, the decorations, the staff. Forcing the people to pay for a religious...

(2003-10-29) -- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today filed suit against the Bush administration, claiming that the annual White House Ramadan feast is an "egregious breach of the separation of church and state." "This is worse than saying 'under God' during the Pledge at public school," said an unnamed ACLU spokesman. "The President himself hosted this explicitly-Muslim feast in the peoples' house -- the White House. Taxpayer dollars were used to pay for some or all of the food, the decorations, the staff. Forcing the people to pay for a religious event is unconstitutional." The traditional feast, or Iftar,...

"All Americans must recognize that the face of terror is not the true faith -- face of Islam. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. It's a faith that has made brothers and sisters of every race. It's a faith based upon love, not hate."President George W. Bush Holds Roundtable with Arab- and Muslim-American LeadersAfghanistan Embassy, Washington, D.C.September 10, 2002 Hosting a dinner celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, President George W. Bush addresses ambassadors from Islamic nations and other distinguished guests in the State Room. File photo. White House photo by...

WASHINGTON (AFP) - George W. Bush hosted a Ramadan dinner with US Islamic leaders, as the White House was besieged with demands to fire an army general whom made comments some say makes the US-led war on terror out to be a war on Islam. General William Boykin's comments surfaced two weeks ago, in which he likened the US battle against terror to a battle between Christiandom and the Muslim world, placing the Bush administration in an uncomfortable position. While the Pentagon (news - web sites) has opened its own investigation, it has also said that it does not expect...

Remarks by the President at Iftaar Dinner with Ambassadors and Muslim Leaders State Floor 5:50 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Ramadan Kareem. Welcome to the White House. I'm pleased to host all of you, our distinguished guests, during this blessed month of Ramadan. For Muslims in America, and around the world, this holy time is set aside for prayer and fasting. It is also a good time for people of all faiths to reflect on the values we hold common -- love of family, gratitude to God, and a commitment to religious freedom. America is a land of many...

US Muslims call for boycott of Bush's Iftar dinner   FROM FAIZ REHMANWASHIINGTON- US President George W. Bush will host an iftar dinner at the White House on Tuesday(today) to mark the beginning of the month of Ramadan. About 100 people, most of them ambassadors from Muslim countries, have been invited to the dinner. A few American Muslim leaders will also attend the event, which will be followed by a sunset prayer at the White House.Most US Muslims, following an announcement from the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), began fasting Monday, with some groups starting Ramadan on Sunday....

White House-AP -- President Bush is hosting a White House dinner tonight for Muslims observing Ramadan.It's a traditional "iftar" dinner -- for those breaking the holy month's required daily fast. The president says he wants the world to know America welcomes Muslims -- as it welcomes adherents of all religions -- and that the war on terror is not a war against Islam. On a visit to Indonesia last week, Muslim leaders asked Bush why Americans see all Muslims as terrorists. Bush denies that's the case. He says Americans "think terrorists are evil people who have hijacked a great religion."...