As has been pointed out repeatedly, the AAI gave him an award because his grandparents are Syrian Christians, and he has been an excellent leader in Indiana. Nothing more. The bloviating morons who chant “Muslim-loving” are merely posters with an agenda, because they fear their candidate can’t hold up next to Mitch in a fair debate.
Why would Muzzies give an award to a political leader who’s relatives are Christians which makes them infidels whom they hate?
There’s more to the story than what we see on the surface.
Right.
Governor’s Second Annual Iftar (Ramadan 2006)
September 25, 2006:: Indianapolis, Indiana: The Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) helped organize the second Annual Governor Iftar at the residence of Governor Mitch Daniels on Monday, September 25, 2006. Gov. Mitch Daniels reached out to more than 150 Muslims from across the state Monday night, welcoming them to his official residence for Iftar (a meal to end their daily fasting during Ramadan).
Shortly after sunset, the Muslim call to prayer rang out over the home’s back garden in the voice of Henry Hane, an immigrant from Senegal. The Muslims followed that by breaking their daily fasts with dishes from three continents. Then they performed their ritual prayers in two tents in the backyard of the residence at 4750 N. Meridian St.
Daniels told the crowd, “All God’s people are equal in his eyes. I am glad to welcome you to this home. You should think of this as your home.” The audience of Muslims from every corner of the state embraced the hospitality and presented Daniels gifts ranging from books on Muslim sex education to a wooden box ornately decorated with calligraphy from Syria, which is home to Daniels’ ancestors.
Ahmed ElHattab, acting director of the Plainfield-based Islamic Society of North America, said the governor’s words touched his heart. “His genuine message from the heart was very well received,” he said.
Monday’s iftar (the meals to break the daily fast are known), was the second hosted by Governor Daniels. Last year’s Iftar at the Statehouse was a byproduct of contacts he made with the Muslim Alliance of Indiana during the 2004 election compaign. The Muslim Alliance of Indiana hosts an annual Iftar at the Islamic Center of Plainfield. The MAI invites community and political leaders across the state. In 2004, Mtich Daniels campaign responded to the invitation and sent Eric Holcomb to meet with over 500 Muslim attendees. In the meeting between the MAI leadership and Eric Holcomb prior to the Iftar, a number of issues were discussed. One of the understanding was that if elected, Governor Daniels would consider closer access to the Muslim community of Indiana. Few ideas included events like Muslim Day at the Statehouse, Governor’s Iftar and regular meetings with the Governor office just to name a few. “Governor Daniels showed us he was a man of his word and has stood by the commitments he made during the 2004 pre-election Iftar,” stated Alia Shah, Executive Director of MAI.
Local Muslims say such political connections are important if their concerns are to be heard in government. But faith, rather than politics, was the key topic Monday night — the first iftar held at an Indiana governor’s home. Several Muslim leaders called it historic.
“To be blessed to make prayer at the governor’s residence is significant,” said Michael Saahir, an imam from the Nur-Allah Islamic Center on the Northside. He said it is recognition of the contributions made by the estimated 250,000 Muslims in Indiana.