World

The White House Celebrates Ramadan

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | September 2, 2009 at 03:23 am

622 views | 74 Recommendations | 8 comments

The tradition continues. President George W. Bush held eight Ramadan dinners to stress that the war on Terror was just that and was not targeted against Islam.

His efforts probably did not make a lot of difference to Muslims, since Bush was a polarizing figure among Muslims and a staunch supporter of Israel.

President Obama will hold a White House Dinner in honor of Ramadan and hopes that President Obama's message of respect for Islam will have a positive effect on Muslims.

President Obama will hold his first White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holiday of Ramadan on Tuesday night as part of his effort to rebuild American relations with the Islamic world after years of strain.

The dinner follows in the tradition of former President George W. Bush, who held eight Ramadan dinners in office to stress that America’s war with violent extremists was not a war with Islam. Despite that outreach, Mr. Bush became a polarizing figure to many Muslims, in large part because of the Iraq war and his staunch support for Israel.

Mr. Obama, while adopting a similar message of respect for the religion of Islam, has none of the baggage of his predecessor and some distinctive advantages that aides hope give him credibility.

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Barry ORegan

at 05:22 on September 2nd, 2009

SLAM!, What was that noise I hear? Oh, that just the countries neighbourhood packin up and heading out of Dodge, or should I say Mecca.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:30 on September 2nd, 2009

Thanks for commenting and recommending.

A. Tran

at 08:08 on September 2nd, 2009

It's good that President Obama continued former President Bush's tradition.

I think President Bush had a fairly decent relationship among Muslim Americans.

Sputnic

at 12:30 on September 2nd, 2009

Grace H

at 12:34 on September 2nd, 2009

Okay. I feel inclined to doubt that.

Rory Cripps

at 13:39 on September 2nd, 2009

ACP: Yeah . . . once a U.S. president shows support for Israel, he becomes a polarizing figure to many Muslims. Obama has less to worry about in that respect.

lisha

at 18:05 on September 2nd, 2009

It is this human factor that is causing division, hatred and bitter wars among the very people who profess to believe in God. Common sense then tells us that if we discard the human factor and pray to God alone, regardless of the name used for God or for the religion, we would then be united and capable of solving our problems in this beautiful universe. Different religions are beautiful flowers, from the same garden created by one almighty.

lindalee (not verified)

at 02:31 on September 9th, 2009

what ? What ever name you call Him.... The God of Israel, the christian God has a Son ...Jesus/ Yeshua Allah the muslim God ...as is written all over the muslim world ..has no son ...!! it is written in the domes of the mosques' How then can you say whatever name we choose ... these are 2 different Gods.... and there are many more. ?? so I am confused by what you write .... I do pray to my God, for all the peoples of the earth ... but there is only one true God.... and He loves us all/ ALL...muslim,jew,christian ...All ...!! Blessings on you !