WASHINGTON, 21 November — Marking the first-ever iftar dinner held at the White House, President George W. Bush on Monday night hosted 52 Muslim diplomats in the State Dining Room.
"This evening, we gather in a spirit of peace and cooperation. I appreciate your support of our objectives in the campaign against terrorism. Tonight that campaign continues in Afghanistan, so that the people of Afghanistan will soon know peace. The terrorists have no home in any faith. Evil has no holy days," the president said.
He stressed that his administration is committed to help reconstruct Afghanistan and to support a stable government that represents all the people of Afghanistan.
"This evening we also gather in the spirit of generosity and charity. As this feast breaks the Ramadan fast, America is also sharing our table with the people of Afghanistan. We are proud to play a leading role in humanitarian relief efforts, with airdrops and truck convoys of food and medicine. America’s children are donating their dollars to the Afghan children. And my administration is committed to help reconstruct that country, and to support a stable government that represents all of the people of Afghanistan," President Bush said.
Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar ibn Sultan and Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, sat to the immediate right and left of the president. In a diplomatic oversight, however, the Pakistani ambassador, Maleha Lodhi, — whose country has helped the US coalition immensely during its struggle against Al-Qaeda and the Taleban in Afghanistan — was not seated at the president’s head table. Several senior officials in the administration attended the iftar, including Secretary of State Colin Powell (who returned in time from his major foreign policy speech given in Kentucky earlier Monday), Attorney General John Ashcroft and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.
Imam Abdullah Muhammad Khouj made a brief blessing following the president’s speech.
The president broadly highlighted Americans role with Muslims. "America is made better by millions of Muslim citizens. America has close and important relations with many Islamic nations. So it is fitting for America to honor your friendship and the traditions of a great faith by hosting this iftar at the White House.
"All the world continues to benefit from this faith and its achievements. Ramadan and the upcoming holiday season are a good time for people of different faiths to learn more about each other. And the more we learn, the more we find that many commitments are broadly shared.
"I thank you for your friendship, and I wish you a blessed Ramadan," the president concluded.
