|
Bush Shares Ramadan Dinner with 50 Muslim Ambassadors at White House
WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed ambassadors from some 50 Islamic countries to a dinner at the White House Monday, three days after the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and underlined that the U.S.-led war on terrorism in Afghanistan was continuing.
"I appreciate your support of our objectives in the campaign against terrorism," Bush said, speaking at the
iftar (fast-breaking) dinner to which the Muslim countries were invited, three days before the traditional U.S. Thanksgiving holiday starts Thursday.
"Tonight that campaign continues in Afghanistan, so that the people of Afghanistan will soon know peace," said Bush. "The terrorists have no home in any faith. Evil has no holy days."
Represented at the dinner were a variety of African, Middle Eastern and Central and East Asian countries, as well as the Palestinian Authority. However, Iraq, Libya, and Iran, with which the United States has suspended ties, were not present.
"America respects people of all faiths, and America seeks peace with people of all faiths," added Bush, who was seated next to Saudi ambassador Prince Bandar, and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
As well as noting that America is "made better by millions of Muslim citizens," Bush said America was "sharing" its table with the Afghan population through humanitarian aid, including food and medicine airdrops.
"And my administration is committed to help reconstruct that country, and to support a stable government that represents all of the people of Afghanistan," Bush went on.
"We are working for more opportunity and a better life for the people of Afghanistan, and all the people of the Islamic world."
The "war on terrorism", which entered its seventh week on Sunday, was prompted by the refusal of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia to hand over Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, the U.S.'s prime suspect in the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington which left around 4,500 dead and missing.
Since the launch of the war, the United States has been waging an active propaganda campaign to ease concern among Muslims that the campaign against Afghanistan's Taliban is a veiled attack on Islam.
The controversial decision to continue the military attacks on Afghanistan during Ramadan has fuelled sentiment among some Muslims that Islam was indeed a target of the campaign.
"The president has made clear from the very beginning that the country would continue to defend itself [during Ramadan]," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said Monday.
"But out of this war comes the recognition of the importance of building relations with Muslim states, Muslim countries," he added.
According to officials, Bush's dinner with the ambassadors was aimed at stressing the U.S.'s sensitivity and respect towards Muslims, as well as to push for increased humanitarian efforts in crisis-hit Afghanistan as America embarks on its Thanksgiving holiday week.
More subtly, the hope is the Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere will come away with an enhanced image of the United States.
"The president reflects often about the need for Muslim nations to better understand America, and what makes America so good. This is part of that," said Fleischer.
Last year, newly elected Bush had scheduled an 'Eid (Muslim holiday signifying the end of Ramadan) luncheon with members of the American Muslim community, but cancelled it at the last minute without giving an explanation as to the reason behind withdrawing the invitation.
Annual Ramadan and 'Eid gatherings with the U.S. administration were first introduced by former President Bill Clinton. The American Muslim community has also enjoyed several Ramadan
iftar(s) at the Department of State during former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's tenure.
With additional reporting by Neveen A. Salem
|
