Posted on 10/16/2006 7:22:57 PM PDT by Esther Ruth
President Bush Attends Iftaar Dinner at the White House The State Dining Room
President's Remarks
Ramadan 2006
6:52 P.M. EDT
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.
END 6:58 P.M. EDT
Yes, No, No
"I understand that the President has to be diplomatic.."
Sez who?
Do you think his words at this Iftaar dinner were meant for the terrorists? Of course not. So why flame him for being a good man who sees what you say you see; that not ALL Muslims are evil, murdering terrorists.
Sez the established doctrine of nonoffendium throatslittus.
I merely say that we should rightly call a spade a spade and a murderous cult a murderous cult. My apologies to the mall Muslims.
They have learned nothing.
Al-Qaida has no chance of defeating this nation on their own. Their openly-stated plan is to use barbaric acts of terrorism in the hope of inciting a global religious war.
President Bush does not believe all Muslims agree with al-Qaida. He does not believe that America should fulfill Osama bin Laden's fondest wish and declare war on Islam.
Sadly, many on this thread agree with bin Laden, not the President, and believe that an American member of FDNY is an enemy of our country solely because his religion matches that of al-Qaida. These confused posters do not realize that religious hate and bigotry is exactly what the enemy wants us to feel.
Religious freedom has existed in this land for centuries. A weirdbeard with twenty suicidal fanatics is a pretty foolish reason to abandon our most cherished right.
Least we not forget that he is the President to all the people, not just Republicans (keep your enemies close). Besides, can you imagine what this country would do if he were to refuse the dinner?
There are evil Muslims, no doubt about it. That's why I refer to them as the "extremists", or "Islamic extremists", or simply the "terrorists". I know the difference and President Bush has made it perfectly clear that he knows the difference as well. Even what you refer to as the "mall Muslims" know the difference.
I am concerned that the 98% of Muslims who seek my death give a bad name to the 2% who like me as I am.
Bravo!! I pray that the majority of Americans understand what it is that Al-Qaida, and other Islamic extremist terrorist groups want. Religious righteousness is not an excuse for stupidity.
He can host the dinner and skip all the slobbering blather about the "religion of peace." Given recent history and our military's ongoing fight against Islamofascists, is that too much to ask?
There really is no excuse for stupidity; you just have to dance faster and hope no one noticed.
98%? Is that a global number, or within the U.S.?
Well, let me tell ya, there's alot of "fast dancers" around here. It makes the fox-trot look like a slow waltz.
Well in the end you just have to pick sides or be the waterboy.
Or the dhimmi.
He honored Muslim military men and women, he honored good Muslim Americans, and other Muslims who have joined us in the WOT. What sort of "good" American could find fault in that?
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