WASHINGTON, 7 December 2002 — In a show of solidarity with the Muslim world, President Bush yesterday took off his shoes, entered a Washington mosque and praised Islam as a “vibrant faith which inspires countless individuals to lead lives of honestly, integrity and morality.”
“Islam affirms God’s justice and insists on man’s moral responsibility,” said the president.
His speech was seen as an effort to portray Islam positively, at a time when many in the United States are confusing the religion with terrorism activity.
Bush’s visit to the Islamic Center of Washington, the oldest mosque in the metropolitan area, was his second visit to the mosque since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. It also marked the 17th time since 9/11 that the president has spoken about Islam’s peaceful and humanitarian values.
“Islam brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people worldwide,” Bush told Muslims at the mosque. “Islam affirms God’s justice and insists on man’s moral responsibility... Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind.”
The speech marks the culmination of efforts by the White House to foster understanding about Islam. The White House even has a link on its website featuring the president’s visit to the mosques, a summary of Islam and Ramadan, the story of the reissuing of Eid postage stamp, and iftar dinners throughout the month of Ramadan that were attended by the president, Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, and Assistant Secretary of State William Burns. (www.whitehouse.gov)
Last month, the White House issued a collection of Bush speeches entitled: “In the President’s Words: Respecting Islam.”
His efforts make it clear that Bush has taken the advice of American Muslim groups who have urged him to speak up against conservative extremists who malign Islam as an enemy of the United States.
The White House says that the rationale of the president’s repeated tributes to Islam is to help Americans understand the religion, and to prevent discrimination against American Muslims and to assure Muslim nations that the US is not hostile to Islam, but against religious terrorists.
“At the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, worship, and reflection, Eid celebrates the renewal of faith, hope, and compassion... and as we observe this holiday season, I encourage Americans of all faiths to join in building a culture of service that demonstrates the true character of our nation,” said Bush.
