OK but if that is so WHY was it held ???
When did it start...
and did George Bush 43 continue it...
Little or not this much fanfare was evident in the past...
It appears that Barry has either put a new spin on the event, or given it more prominance
or put it out there as the most important celebration the White House has all year...
“When did it start...”
Hillary Clinton began it in 1996 and continued it while she and Bill were in the White House.
“and did George Bush 43 continue it...”
Yes. With the exception of 2001, he held one through 2008. On the bottom of the page that is linked below, you will see chronicled under “Ramadan News” other administration events in 2002 that concern Ramadan. Though those pages are no longer accessible, it gives you an idea of what was going on at that time.
Ramadan 2002
http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/ramadan/2002/
I should add that, if you are interested, the only links that still seem to be viable on that page are,
President’s Greeting for Ramadan
http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/11/20021105-3.html
and
In the President’s Words: Respecting Islam
http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/ramadan/islam.html