SHAFAQNA- US President Donald Trump hosted second Iftar dinner at the White House. Like last year, American Muslim organizations and lawmakers were not part of the guest list.
Prominent members of the Muslim community, diplomats and members of Congress reportedly attended the dinner, which began at 8:30 p.m., shortly after sunset, in the State Dining Room.
US president, who spoke for five minutes, said he was “delighted” to share the occasion with “so many esteemed dignitaries and friends — I have so many friends in this room — and cherished partners from around the world,” according to United Press International (UPI) news agency.
“Ramadan is a time of charity, of giving, and service to our fellow citizens,” Trump said. “Ramadan is a very special time. It’s a time to draw closer as families, neighbors, and communities. And Ramadan is a time when people join forces in pursuit of hope, tolerance and peace”, news reported.
Trump said it’s been a rough period recently for people of all faiths. He cited attacks on Muslims in New Zealand, Christians in Sri Lanka and Jews in California and Pittsburgh.
“In their blessed memories, we resolve to defeat the evils of terrorism and religious persecution so that all people can worship without fear, pray without danger and live by the faith that flows from their heart,” he said.
Last year, Trump hosted his first Iftar dinner as president. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump called for a complete ban on all Muslims entering the United States and has signed multiple executive orders restricting immigration from Muslim-majority countries. American Muslim groups claim they feel targeted by the president’s rhetoric and policies, and say they would have declined had they been invited.
Engie Mohsen, Policy Program Manager of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a national American Muslim advocacy and public policy organization said the absence of American Muslim groups and lawmakers demonstrates “how the president does not see American Muslims as part of America”, voa reported.
The dinner breaks the daylong fast that Muslims follow during Ramadan. They have been held regularly at the White House since the Clinton administration as a form of outreach to the Muslim world, dailysabah told.
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