White House abandons iftar

Donald Trump has not hosted an iftar dinner during Ramadan, breaking a nearly 20-year tradition.

Despite events held by previous administrations from across the political divide, this year’s Ramadan — which began on 26 May — passed nearly unobserved by the White House. It was marked only by a statement published late on Saturday afternoon, coinciding with the end of the holy month.

The first White House iftar dinner is said to have been hosted by President Thomas Jefferson, who hosted a Tunisian ambassador during the month of fasting in 1805.

Hillary Clinton resurrected the event when she was First Lady in February 1996, hosting about 150 people for a reception for Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month. The dinner, attended by legislators, diplomats and leaders within the US Muslim community, went onto become an annual tradition from 1999, observed by the past three administrations.