Prez Trump hosts first Iftar dinner
Washington: US President Donald Trump hosted his first Iftar dinner at the White House, during which he sought co- operation from the Muslim world to achieve a future of security and prosperity for all, a move that surprised many in the community after he skipped hosting such a party last year.
Washington, June 7: Wishing Muslims around the world a “Ramadan Mubarak” — a blessed holiday — President Donald Trump on Wednesday hosted his first White House dinner for Islam's holy month of Ramadan, an overture that surprised many in the Muslim community after he skipped hosting such a meal last year.
Speaking at an iftar dinner, which breaks the daylong fast, Trump offered a message of unity, recognizing members of the Muslim community at home and abroad.
“In gathering together this evening, we honor a sacred tradition of one of the world's great religions,” he told an intimate audience that included Cabinet members and ambassadors from many Muslimmajority nations including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
It was a dramatic departure from the inflammatory rhetoric Trump used during his campaign, when he called for a “complete and total shutdown” of Muslims entering the country, compared Syrian refugees fleeing civil war to a deadly snake and declared, “I think Islam hates us” in an interview with CNN.
Instead, Trump spoke of “the renewed bonds of friendship and cooperation” forged with “valued partners” from across the Middle East and said Iftars “mark the coming together of families and friends to celebrate a timeless message of peace, clarity and love. There is great love.”
He recalled his visit last year to Saudi Arabia — his first foreign trip — as “one of the great two days of my life.”
“Only by working together can we achieve a future of security and prosperity for all,” he said.
The dinner came as the Supreme Court considers legal challenges to Trump's travel ban, which critics say unfairly targets some Muslimmajority countries. A ruling is expected as early as this month.
Several Muslim civil rights groups pushed back, organizing a “NOT Trump's Iftar” protest at a park across from the White House. The groups say Trump's heated rhetoric has contributed to an increase in bullying and discrimination against Muslim Americans.
Sharif Aly, CEO of Islamic Relief USA, a humanitarian and advocacy organization, said the group was glad to see the White House had reinstated the iftar, “an event that should be hosted every year.”