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Muslims Skeptical of Trump’s Planned Ramadan Iftar

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump will host an iftar dinner in honor of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, restoring a White House tradition that he had abandoned during his first year in office.

In a statement issued last month marking the start of Ramadan, Trump said, “Ramadan reminds us of the richness Muslims add to the religious tapestry of American life.”

The iftar dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6, but the White House official is yet to provide a list of attendees.

Nevertheless, the invitation has been criticized by many as a stark contrast to Trump’s call during his presidential campaign for a ‘total and complete’ ban on all Muslims entering the country.

It also comes as the US Supreme Court is reviewing the third version of his travel ban for ‘anti-Muslim intent.’

“As the Supreme Court decides whether the Travel Ban is rooted in anti-Muslim bigotry, Trump decided to recognize Ramadan by issuing a statement acknowledging Muslims humanely,” Khan wrote in an opinion piece for Newsweek.

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“This turn of events is hardly coincidental.”

“At the end of April, the president declined to walk back or apologize for past biased remarks about Muslims. ​Now, we see a perfectly-timed attempt to dilute Trump’s clear history of anti-Muslim bigotry by “connecting” with Muslims over an Iftar.

“It would be naive to view this apparent change of heart toward Muslim Americans as anything other than an attempt to divert attention from his previous anti-Muslim statements.”

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It started in North America on Wednesday, May 16.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint, and good deeds.

The White House iftar is a tradition that began annually under President Clinton and was continued by President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.

The tradition can be traced to over two centuries ago as the first documented White House Iftar occurred more than 200 years ago, when President Thomas Jefferson hosted the Tunisian envoy Sidi Slimane Mhlmyla on Dec. 9, 1805, to discuss the issue of piracy in the Mediterranean Sea.