President Joe Biden on Monday hosted American Muslims in a special celebration to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, reaffirming his support and respect for the Muslim community in the United States.
Presidents have held `Eid Al-Fitr celebrations since the Clinton administration, however, former President Donald Trump ended a years-long White House tradition of hosting iftar or `Eid celebration.
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Restoring the decades-long tradition, Monday’s event was the first gathering marking the end of Ramadan since Barack Obama was in office.
Last year, Biden held a virtual Ramadan event because of COVID-19 concerns.
“One of the promises I made when I ran for office is that I was to restore this annual celebration, because it’s important. It’s important,” Biden said, a statement from the White House.
“This year, thanks to the progress we made fighting the pandemic, we can fully honor my promise. And it’s in no small part thanks to the courage and commitment of many Muslim frontline workers and first responders.”
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Supporting Muslims
In the East Room, Biden disavowed Islamophobia and religious persecution of Muslims at the `Eid Al-Fitr gathering, also attended by first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Muslim lawmakers Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. and André Carson, D-Ind.
“Today, around the world, we’ve seen so many Muslims that have been targeted by violence. No one, no one should discriminate against or be oppressed, or be repressed, for their religious beliefs,” Biden said.
“We have to acknowledge that an awful lot of work remains to be done, abroad and here at home. Muslims make our nation stronger every single day, even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society, including targeted violence and Islamophobia.”
Biden praised the contributions of Muslim Americans, saying, “Muslims make our nation stronger every single day, even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society, including targeted violence and Islamophobia.”
Guests listen to remarks during an Eid al-Fitr reception at the East Room of the White House on May 2, 2022 in Washington, DC.
The president also noted emphasis on including Muslim Americans in his administration, including Rashad Hussain, the first Muslim Religious Freedom Ambassador and the first Muslim-American woman to be a judge on a federal court, Nusrat Jahan Choudhury.
“I’ve said it from the beginning: My administration — and I meant it, and I proved it — gonna look like America,” he said.
Talib Shareef, Imam of Masjid Muhammad in Washington, known to some as “The Nation’s Mosque,” said of the White House gathering, “Being hosted here is an important statement for our nation and for the world,” AP reported.
“A statement that Islam is a welcome part of our nation together with all the other faith traditions,” Shareef said. “And that the highest office in this land is committed to our nation’s foundational values and laws protecting religious freedom.”