WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama sent Muslims a heartfelt message to welcome `Eid Al-Fitr, which crowns the holy fasting month of Ramadan, condemning the recent surge of Islamophobic attacks targeting the religious community.

Obama said in his message that Muslims are as diverse as the US itself – black, white, Asian, Latino and Arab – and have been “part of the American family since the beginning”.

“This `Eid, we recommit to protecting Muslim Americans against bigotry and xenophobia, while celebrating the contributions of Muslim Americans around the country, including one of our finest, the People’s Champion Muhammad Ali, to whom we bade farewell this Ramadan,” he said.

`Eid Al-Fitr is one the two main Islamic religious festivals along with `Eid Al-Adha.

After special prayers to mark the day, festivities and merriment start with visits to the homes of friends and relatives.

And while traditionally everyone wears new clothes for `Eid, children look forward to gifts and traditional `ediya (cash).

Marking the end of Ramadan, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama said they would host an `Eid party at the White House and described how Muslims traditionally wear their “finest attire”, decorate their houses with ornaments and lanterns and exchange gifts.

He referred to rising hate crimes against American Muslims in the US and “senseless violence” in recent months across the world, from the mass shooting in Orlando and bombings at an airport in Istanbul to further atrocities in Dhaka, Baghdad and Madinah.

“Here at home, we’ve also seen a rise in attacks against Muslim Americans,” he added.

”No one should ever feel afraid or unsafe in their place of worship.”

“In the face of hate, it’s our American values and strength that bring us together to stand in solidarity and protect one another—thereby, making our Nation stronger and safer,” added Obama in his statement.