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President Obama joined dozens of American Muslim leaders and foreign dignitaries at the White House on Sept. 1 to commemorate the sacred month of Ramadan with an "Iftar" dinner, or meal that breaks the day-long Ramadan fast.
Muslims around the world observe the month-long fast by abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk and increasing charitable giving.
At the dinner, Pres. Obama described Ramadan as "a time of service and support for those in need. And it is also a time for family and friends to come together in a celebration of their faith, their communities, and the common humanity that all of us share."
He also praised the contributions of American Muslims.
"Indeed, the contribution of Muslims to the United States are too long to catalog because Muslims are so interwoven into the fabric of our communities and our country," he said. "Above all, they are successful parents, good neighbors, and active citizens."
Also present at the dinner was Sec. of Defense Robert Gates, Sec. of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Attorney General Eric Holder and members of Congress including Muslim congressional representatives Andre Carson of Indiana and Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Democratic Party leaders Rep. John Conyers of Michigan and Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey.
Posted September 8, 2009
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