Hillary Clinton Hosts Iftar, Reaches Out to Muslim Communities
EmailFrom Kristina Wong –
Hillary Clinton reached out to Muslim communities at home and
abroad by hosting an “iftar” at the State Department Monday evening. “Iftar” refers to the one meal participating Muslims have each day after fasting from
sun-up to sun-down for one month, in observation of Ramadan — the holiest period of each year and the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
“The nearly seven million Muslims in our country have enriched our
culture, have made us stronger, because of contributions that many of
you and others across America have given to us,” Clinton said before
the meal, to guests comprised of diplomats and prominent members of Muslim American communities in the U.S.
Also speaking before the meal was the State Department’s new
Special Representative to Muslim Communities, Farah Pandith, sworn-in Monday morning by Secretary Clinton.
“This holy month of Ramadan
provides us with these wonderful opportunities to reflect on the
principles of a faith that is practiced by more than a billion women
and men worldwide. As we fast, we are asked to think of the other, to
be cognizant of the importance of respect for all, and to renew our
efforts to do good deeds,” said Pandith.
have walked the typical American road. I have balanced my faith and my
heritage and my love of my country without pause,” Pandith said.
“It is as American to have pad thai, as it is a pizza,” she joked.
Clinton
acknowledged that the relationship between Muslim communities and other
Americans has not always been harmonious. After the attacks of
September 11, 2001– committed by violent extremist Muslims from parts
of the Middle East, many Muslim Americans faced outright hostility and
prejudice in the U.S.
“Now we recognize that the relationship between the United States
and Muslim communities has at times suffered from misunderstanding and
misperception,” Clinton said. “But we are committed to learning and
listening, to creating bridges of understanding, and respect, and
building stronger bonds of cooperation.”
Clinton extended the message of peace Obama delivered last
June in a speech at a university in Cairo, Egypt, directed at Muslims
across the world.
“I’ve come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United
States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and
mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are
not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap,
and share common principles — principles of justice and progress;
tolerance and the dignity of all human beings,” Obama said on June 4.
And two weeks ago, the president hosted his own iftar at the White House.
people of all faiths than divides us. The Obama administration will
work to ensure that our communication, our partnerships and our
policies reflect that core belief,” Clinton said.
“Because whatever god you pray to, or whether you even believe at
all, we all need to work for the same goals — a world where our
children can live together in peace and prosperity, and fulfill their
own god-given potentials.”
Clinton ended her remarks jovially.
“Let us
recommit ourselves to achieving our common goals, inspired by common
values,” she said. “And now, please enjoy your food!”
Watch Clinton’s remarks HERE.
– Kristina Wong
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Well spoken and great leadership.
Posted by: Abdul | September 16, 2009, 8:33 am 8:33 am
How about hosting a communion breakfast to reach out to the Catholic community? How many Muslims?It seems to me that this coutry is bending over backwards to address “Muslim sensitivities”.I don’t know any Muslims in this country who feel less safe here than they did in their native countries.Indeed, they are here precisely because of the oppresion they experienced in “Muslim countries”-economic political AND religious.
Posted by: Nephron | September 16, 2009, 8:38 am 8:38 am
I thought the speech bombed…
Posted by: Daoud | September 16, 2009, 11:11 am 11:11 am
I thought the intention was good…and that can be of great value.
Posted by: JJ | September 16, 2009, 11:43 am 11:43 am
Should I expect an Easter invite from Barry and Hill next year?
Posted by: HobokenJohn | September 16, 2009, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Boy do I feel like a stranger in my own land. I just wish ANYONE in this administration would spend just one moment trying to build a “bridge of understanding” with the American citizen, Christians, Jews, taxpayers. I am sick to death of it all.
Posted by: Elaine | September 16, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
Is she flipping NUTS!!!!?????? What the f is happening to this country??????
Posted by: KGaur | September 16, 2009, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
Hey critics, this gesture by the white house is to make those that have felt isolated feel more at home. I know that every group has gone through some kind of discrimination, but the one most present and relevant at the moment happens to be Muslims. I was personally picked on by some ignorant guy in a new high school because of my religion (not to mention “random” checks at the airport). I don’t care if any of these speeches are fake, they make me feel better and they make me feel at home. Plus, any gesture towards a specific group is symbolic to all others who are feeling the same way as well.
Posted by: Omar Patel | September 16, 2009, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
Wonderful idea. I think Hillary is doing a great job.
I don’t understand the objection to this dinner and speech by some of the commenters. Too many look at our country as a ‘christian’ one, when in reality we have a mix of religions here as well as large numbers of atheists and agnostics. The more I learn about different religions the more I see the strong similarities between them, the ideals of being kind to one another, taking time for introspection, fighting the tendency to be self-centered and doing good deeds.
Unfortunately in many religions there are a few people who twist holy words to justify doing terrible things to others.
To my neighbors who are Muslim, please know that the intolerance some have expressed here is in no way how reasonable people feel.
Posted by: Lydia | September 16, 2009, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm
i m a deported muslim who lives in pakistan at the momment i have 2 daughters and a son living with there mother in oklahoma usa, it has been a year and a half since i have been deported and i have been looking for some help all i wana do is come back and help my wife raised my kids plz help me please
Posted by: Ajmal Hussain | September 17, 2009, 1:04 am 1:04 am
what have muslims done for the USA besides 9/11 – surely there are productive muslims working in hospitals and schools and govt but their contributions are greatly exaggerated
Posted by: james b | September 17, 2009, 8:10 am 8:10 am
Very nice speech
Posted by: Thu | September 17, 2009, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
When Hillary Speaks, I Listen and Trust Her Words. They are Logical, Heartfelt and Warm With Good Intentions and a Smathering of peanutbutter and Jelly. I Mean I can Really Trust Her and Count On Her. God Blessed America With Her. Long Live Hillary and her Heart and Wisdom.
Posted by: susancarroll | September 18, 2009, 12:58 am 12:58 am
How very unsurprised I am to find that the response I posted yesterday, which was critical of Islamic ideology and the current administration was deleted very quickly. I did not curse or threaten anyone or anything – merely expressed my opinion and made factual statements. Obviously, the truth is much too bitter for some to handle.
Posted by: Lioness | September 18, 2009, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
Lioness says:
When Hillary Speaks, I Listen and Trust Her Words. They are Logical, Heartfelt and Warm With Good Intentions and a Smathering of peanutbutter and Jelly. I Mean I can Really Trust Her and Count On Her. God Blessed America With Her. Long Live Hillary and her Heart and Wisdom.
_________________________
Isn’t “peanutbutter” supposed to be capitalized that his context?
Posted by: CC Pony | September 18, 2009, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
Hillary clinton is a legend
Posted by: ireland09 | September 29, 2009, 7:27 am 7:27 am