[custom_adv] Wishing Muslims around the world a “Ramadan Mubarak” — a blessed holiday — President Donald Trump on Wednesday hosted his first White House dinner for Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, an overture that surprised many in the Muslim community after he skipped hosting such a meal last year. [custom_adv] Speaking at an iftar dinner, which breaks the daylong fast, Trump offered a message of unity, recognizing members of the Muslim community at home and abroad. [custom_adv] Instead, Trump spoke of “the renewed bonds of friendship and cooperation” forged with “valued partners” from across the Middle East and said Iftars “mark the coming together of families and friends to celebrate a timeless message of peace, clarity and love. There is great love.” [custom_adv] Sharif Aly, CEO of Islamic Relief USA, a humanitarian and advocacy organization, said the group was glad to see the White House had reinstated the iftar, “an event that should be hosted every year, just like the Easter Egg Roll, the Passover Seder and Christmas Open House.” [custom_adv] Iftar dinners have been held regularly at the White House since the Clinton administration as a form of outreach to the Muslim world. Shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush hosted ambassadors and diplomats in celebration of Ramadan, declaring “evil has no holy days.” [custom_adv] The White House struck a considerably warmer tone last month, when it released a statement from the president declaring “Ramadan Mubarak,” a common greeting in Islam for a blessed holiday. [custom_adv] The statement praised the Constitution for ensuring Muslims can observe the holiday “unimpeded by government” and did not mention terrorism. “Ramadan reminds us of the richness Muslims add to the religious tapestry of American life,” the statement said. [custom_adv] The current version of Trump’s travel ban applies to travelers from five countries with overwhelmingly Muslim populations — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. It also affects two non-Muslim countries, blocking travelers from North Korea and some Venezuelan government officials and their families. [custom_adv] The event was the first for Trump, who last year broke with the decades-long tradition at the White House to host members of the U.S. Muslim community to celebrate Ramadan. Despite the effort, Trump was still criticized for his anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies seen during his presidential campaign and his tenure.
