WASHINGTON – For the first time in the White House, President Barack Obama hosted American Muslims in a special celebration to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, reaffirming his steadfast support and respect for the Muslim community in the United States.
“I especially want to speak to the young people who are here, to make sure that you know that we see you, that we believe in you,” Obama said to a crowd of a couple hundred Muslim American officials, guests, and community members.
“And despite what you may sometime hear, you’ve got to know that you’re a valued part of the American family, and there’s nothing that you cannot do,” he said.
Obama broke from the tradition of hosting the annual Iftar dinner, an evening meal during Ramadan where Muslims break their daily fast, to celebrate the conclusion of the Islamic holy month instead.
President Obama smells a rose given to him by one Muslim American family during the White House’s first ever `Eid celebration on Thursday.
In a special celebration on Thursday, July 21, Obama defended the patriotic role more than 5,000 Muslim Americans have played in serving the US military.
He also commended the many doctors, architects, community leaders, and police officers who identify as Muslim, including one athlete heading to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil.
“For more than two centuries, Muslim Americans of all backgrounds – Arab and Asian, African and Latino, black and white – have helped build America,” he said.
“As farmers and merchants, factory workers, architects, teachers and community leaders. Muslim Americans have enriched our lives every single days.
“You are the athletes that we cheer for, like American fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammad, who is going to be proudly wearing her hijab when she represents America at the Rio Olympics,” Obama said. “No pressure.”
More than 100 Muslim Americans attended the event celebrating the holiday, including Muhammad Ali’s wife Lonnie and six of their children.
“As proud of his blackness as he was of his faith, the Champ taught us that the most important thing in life is to be ourselves,” the president told the crowd.
Obama paid special tribute to Muhammad Ali during his remarks, and was gifted the Greatest’s cuff links by members of his family during the celebration
The President added he wanted the day to be a reminder that Muslims “have always been a part of America”.
