    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [November 7, 2002]
    [Page 2052]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 2052]]

    Remarks at an Iftaar Dinner
    November 7, 2002

        Good evening. Thank you all for coming. I'm honored to welcome such
    a distinguished group of Ambassadors and American citizens to the White
    House to help usher in the holy month of Ramadan.
        Islam is a religion that brings hope and comfort to more than a
    billion people around the world. It has made brothers and sisters of
    every race. It has given birth to a rich culture of learning and
    literature and science. Tonight we honor the traditions of a great faith
    by hosting this Iftaar at the White House.
        I'm honored that our great Secretary of State is with us today. Mr. Secretary, thank you for being here.
    I appreciate Your Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Zayid of the United Arab Emirates for coming. I want to
    thank members of my administration who are here, in particular, Dr.
    Elias Zerhouni, who's the Director of the
    National Institute of Health. I want to thank all the Ambassadors who
    are here. It's good to see you all again--the other representatives from
    the Organization of Islamic Conference. I appreciate so very much my
    fellow Americans here, many from the Muslim community.
        Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting, contemplation of
    God's greatness, and service to those in need. According to Muslim
    teachings, this season commemorates the revelation of God's word in the
    Holy Koran to the prophet Muhammad. Today, this word inspires faithful
    Muslims to lead lives of honesty and integrity and compassion.
        In hosting tonight's Iftaar, I send a message to all the nations
    represented by their Ambassadors here tonight: America treasures your
    friendship; America honors your faith. We see in Islam a religion that
    traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. We share your belief
    in God's justice and your insistence on man's moral responsibility. We
    thank the many Muslim nations who stand with us against terror, nations
    that are often victims of terror, themselves.
        Tonight's Iftaar also sends a message to all Americans: Our Nation
    is waging a war on a radical network of terrorists, not on a religion
    and not on a civilization. If we wage this war to defend our principles,
    we must live up to those principles, ourselves. And one of the deepest
    commitments of America is tolerance. No one should be treated unkindly
    because of the color of their skin or the content of their creed. No one
    should be unfairly judged by appearance or ethnic background or
    religious faith. We must uphold these values of progress and pluralism
    and tolerance.
        George Washington said that America ``gives to bigotry no sanction,
    to persecution no assistance.'' This was our policy at our Nation's
    founding; this is our policy today. America rejects all forms of
    religious intolerance. America grieves with all the victims of religious
    bigotry. And America opposes all who commit evil in God's name.
        Ramadan and the upcoming holiday seasons are a good time to remember
    the ties of friendship and respect that bind us together. Learning from
    each other, we can build bridges of mutual trust and understanding.
    Working together, we can create a better future for people of all
    faiths.
        I thank you for coming to the White House this evening. I wish you
    all a blessed Ramadan. God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:05 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Minister of State for
    Foreign Affairs Hamdan bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan of the United Arab
    Emirates.