    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 19, 2001]
    [Pages 1426-1427]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at an Iftaar Dinner
    November 19, 2001

        Good evening, and welcome to the White House. I'm so honored to
    welcome such distinguished guests and ambassadors during the holy month
    of Ramadan.
        America is made better by millions of Muslim citizens. America has
    close and important relations with many Islamic nations. So it is
    fitting for America to honor your friendship and the traditions of a
    great faith by hosting this Iftaar at the White House.
        I want to thank our Secretary of State for being here, as well as
    members of my administration. I want to thank the Ambassadors for taking
    time in this holy month to come to join us in this feast.
        Ramadan is a time of fasting and prayer for the Muslim faithful. So
    tonight we are reminded of God's greatness and His Commandments to live
    in peace and to help neighbors in need. According to Muslim teachings,
    God first revealed His word in the Holy Koran to the Prophet Muhammad
    during the month of Ramadan. That word has guided billions of believers
    across the centuries, and those believers built a culture of learning
    and literature and science.
        All the world continues to benefit from this faith and its
    achievements. Ramadan and the upcoming holiday season are a good time
    for people of different faiths to learn more about each other. And the
    more we learn, the more we find that many commitments are broadly
    shared. We share a commitment to family, to protect and love our
    children. We share a belief in God's justice and man's moral
    responsibility. And we share the same hope for a future of peace. We
    have much in common and much to learn from one another.
        This evening we gather in a spirit of peace and cooperation. I
    appreciate your support of our objectives in the campaign against
    terrorism. Tonight that campaign continues in Afghanistan, so that the
    people of Afghanistan will soon know peace. The terrorists have no home
    in any faith. Evil has no holy days.
        This evening we also gather in the spirit of generosity and charity.
    As this feast breaks the Ramadan fast, America is also sharing our table
    with the people of Afghanistan. We are proud to play a leading role in
    humanitarian relief efforts, with airdrops and truck convoys of food and
    medicine. America's children are donating their

    [[Page 1427]]

    dollars to the Afghan children. And my administration is committed to
    help reconstruct that country and to support a stable government that
    represents all of the people of Afghanistan.
        We are working for more opportunity and a better life for the people
    of Afghanistan and all the people of the Islamic world. America respects
    people of all faiths, and America seeks peace with people of all faiths.
        I thank you for your friendship, and I wish you a blessed Ramadan.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:50 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House.