Obama hosts iftar dinner at the White House
By Arab News
WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama honored Muslim Americans on Wednesday night at the White House’s annual Ramadan dinner. With only a month to go before the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Obama emphasized the role that Muslim Americans played in the wake of the attacks, and their contributions to the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Muslim Americans were (the) first responders ... the EMTs ... the nurse who tended to so many victims, the naval officer at the Pentagon who rushed into the flames and pulled the injured to safety,” the president told approximately 100 guests before the meal.
The tradition of hosting an iftar at the White House was begun by President Bill Clinton, and continued by George W. Bush. This was Obama’s third Ramadan dinner as president.
In the audience were the two members of Congress who practice Islam, Reps. Andre Carson, D-Indiana and Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota; as well as Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, and Rep. Donald Payne, D-New Jersey, who represent large Muslim communities. Government officials, Muslim ambassadors, Muslim community leaders and other leaders of faith groups were also invited.
Arizona Cardinals safety Hamza Abdullah and his brother, Husain Abdullah, who plays for the Minnesota Vikings, were first time guests at the White House Iftar.
Outside the limelight, Ramadan also is being celebrated throughout the US.
The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, in Falls Church, Virginia, is working with other faith leaders in the fight against hunger in their community in hosting as part of the observance of Ramadan, offering free dinners to all needy families in the Falls Church community.
The executive director, Samir Abo-Issa, said the mosque is feeding over 800 people every night, using the theme “A Ramadan Without Hunger,” they have opened the doors to “share what we have with our neighbors who are less fortunate.”
“Feeding the hungry is an obligation of faith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches, you are not a believer if you go to bed with your stomach full while your neighbor is hungry,” said Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, director of outreach for the mosque.
For many Muslims here, Ramadan also is an opportunity to educate non-Muslim friends about their culture and traditions.
“Fasting is an important matter especially in this month,” said Imam Abdulla Khouj, president of the Islamic Center in Washington, the oldest one in the US capital area, and which feeds more than 500 people daily during Ramadan.
Imam Khouj said the Ramadan greetings offered by American presidents have helped raise awareness about Ramadan among Americans.
“The president of a great country acknowledges the fact that people are fasting and somehow shares with them their feelings, and at the same time makes them feel that they are welcomed in this country,” said Imam Khouj. In addition, he says Ramadan is an opportunity to educate non-Muslims during interfaith iftars.
“Muslim Americans were (the) first responders ... the EMTs ... the nurse who tended to so many victims, the naval officer at the Pentagon who rushed into the flames and pulled the injured to safety,” the president told approximately 100 guests before the meal.
The tradition of hosting an iftar at the White House was begun by President Bill Clinton, and continued by George W. Bush. This was Obama’s third Ramadan dinner as president.
In the audience were the two members of Congress who practice Islam, Reps. Andre Carson, D-Indiana and Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota; as well as Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, and Rep. Donald Payne, D-New Jersey, who represent large Muslim communities. Government officials, Muslim ambassadors, Muslim community leaders and other leaders of faith groups were also invited.
Arizona Cardinals safety Hamza Abdullah and his brother, Husain Abdullah, who plays for the Minnesota Vikings, were first time guests at the White House Iftar.
Outside the limelight, Ramadan also is being celebrated throughout the US.
The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, in Falls Church, Virginia, is working with other faith leaders in the fight against hunger in their community in hosting as part of the observance of Ramadan, offering free dinners to all needy families in the Falls Church community.
The executive director, Samir Abo-Issa, said the mosque is feeding over 800 people every night, using the theme “A Ramadan Without Hunger,” they have opened the doors to “share what we have with our neighbors who are less fortunate.”
“Feeding the hungry is an obligation of faith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches, you are not a believer if you go to bed with your stomach full while your neighbor is hungry,” said Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, director of outreach for the mosque.
For many Muslims here, Ramadan also is an opportunity to educate non-Muslim friends about their culture and traditions.
“Fasting is an important matter especially in this month,” said Imam Abdulla Khouj, president of the Islamic Center in Washington, the oldest one in the US capital area, and which feeds more than 500 people daily during Ramadan.
Imam Khouj said the Ramadan greetings offered by American presidents have helped raise awareness about Ramadan among Americans.
“The president of a great country acknowledges the fact that people are fasting and somehow shares with them their feelings, and at the same time makes them feel that they are welcomed in this country,” said Imam Khouj. In addition, he says Ramadan is an opportunity to educate non-Muslims during interfaith iftars.
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