Obama to host Ramadan meal

[Gan]

President Obama will host an iftar — the special evening meal observed during Ramadan — on Friday night in the White House dining room.

Obama participated in a similar gathering last year.

Celebrations like iftar dinners "remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam's role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings," Obama wrote in a statement Wednesday.

"Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality ... a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country."

The dinner comes amid a growing controversy over the proposed construction of an Islamic cultural center in downtown Manhattan, near the site of the World Trade Center. A CNN poll released Wednesday found that 68 percent of the public opposes the project.

Meanwhile, the White House — which has made great efforts to reach out to the Muslim community — has been silent on the issue.

"This is rightly a matter for New York City and the local community to decide," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters on Aug. 3.

Ramadan began on Wednesday and will end around Sept. 10.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...t-ramadan-meal
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(Stealing ClydeR's moment)

Thoughts? Incendiary? Have any impact this November? Inflame the old white angry group even more?

Discuss.

[Back]

HES A SLEEPER MUSLIM AGENT TO BRING US DOWN FROM THE INSIDE!!!!

Anyone who has trouble with this is far too easily offended.

[Cephalopod]

What's incendiary? Why would Obama's Ramadan dinners be such but not George Bush's yearly Ramadan dinners?

[Cephalopod]

Also, no longer silent on the issue: Obama supports plan for mosque near ground zero

[Bobmuhthol]

Typical of a president who wasn't even born in this God-blessed country.

[Gan]

I personally dont have a problem with having the dinner. I'm not so sure though that it will settle anything down with the momentum of the anti-Obama crowd gearing up for the polls in November. Although there's really not a way to low-key this event.

I suppose the most that will be made of it is what Obama has to say at the dinner. Bush used it as part of his platform for enjoining Muslim support in fighting the radical part of the faith. Will Obama do the same? Or will this be part of the apology tour?

[Rocktar]

I personally dont have a problem with having the dinner. I'm not so sure though that it will settle anything down with the momentum of the anti-Obama crowd gearing up for the polls in November. Although there's really not a way to low-key this event.

I suppose the most that will be made of it is what Obama has to say at the dinner. Bush used it as part of his platform for enjoining Muslim support in fighting the radical part of the faith. Will Obama do the same? Or will this be part of the apology tour?

I'm voting more of the same, Worldwide Apology Tour 2009-2012.

[Rinualdo]

Who has he apologized to thus far?

[Methais]

I wonder if IW got invited.

[IorakeWarhammer]

iftaars have great food. there is probably a Muslim community in your area that would be glad to have you, regardless of your beliefs. they may proselytize a little, but that's to be expected being a non-believer at religious gatherings. it's an interesting culture exposure.

as for Obama, he is technically Muslim because of his father. but if he is not practicing Islam that makes him a non-Muslim. the White House iftaar is just public relations guys, no need to get your panties all twisted up about it.

edit: the Islamophobia you guys are experiencing has been engineered by the Government. cities like Philadelphia, for example, will be majority Muslim cities within 20-30 years. the fat cats elitists will probably use the growing religious diversity in this country to spark wars and instability. so, I discourage you from being duped into playing along with this childish and nonsensical hatred and distrust. it's a big mistake.