    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [December 5, 2002]
    [Pages 2168-2169]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Celebration of Eid al-Fitr
    December 5, 2002

        Thank you very much, sir. It's good to be
    with you again. And it is my honor to visit the Islamic Center of
    Washington once again.
        For half a century, this beautiful mosque has served as a place of
    worship for Muslims and has helped to advance understanding between
    people of different faiths. Millions of our fellow Americans practice
    the Muslim faith. They lead lives of honesty and justice and compassion.
        I am pleased to join you today in the celebration of Eid, the
    culmination of the holy month of Ramadan. I appreciate so very much Dr.
    Khouj, and I want to thank the other
    distinguished imams from the Washington, DC, area. Thank you all for
    being here. And I enjoyed our visit. I also appreciate the Muslim
    schoolchildren who are here, telling me stories and reading poems and
    showing me artwork. Please tell them thanks again for their hospitality.
        Islam traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. And Ramadan
    commemorates the revelation of God's word in the Holy Koran to the
    prophet Muhammad, a word that is read and recited with special attention
    and reverence by Muslims during this season.
        Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water
    during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and
    redirect their hearts to charity. Muslims worldwide have stretched out a
    hand of mercy to those in need. Charity tables, at which the poor can
    break their fast, line the streets of cities and towns. And gifts of
    food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in
    God's abundance. Muslims often invite members of other families to their
    evening iftaar meals, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance.
        During Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate the completion of their fast
    and the blessings of renewed faith that have come with it. Customs vary
    between countries, from illuminating lanterns in Egypt to lighting
    firecrackers in Pakistan, to inviting elders to traditional feasts in
    Niger. Around the world, families and neighbors and friends gather to
    share traditional foods and congratulate each other on meeting the test
    of Ramadan.
        The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope
    and comfort to more than a billion people worldwide. Islam affirms God's
    justice and insists on man's moral responsibility. This holiday is also
    an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of
    learning that has benefited mankind.
        Here in the United States, our Muslim citizens are making many
    contributions in business, science and law, medicine and education, and
    in other fields. Muslim members of our Armed Forces and of my
    administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction,
    upholding our Nation's ideals of liberty and justice in a world at
    peace. And in our Nation's Capital, this center contributes greatly to
    our spiritual and cultural life.
        On behalf of Laura and our family and the
    American people, I bring our best wishes to all who worship here and to
    Muslims throughout the world for a joyous Eid and

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    for health and happiness and prosperity in the year to come.
        Eid Mubarak. God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. in the mosque at the Islamic
    Center of Washington, DC. In his remarks, he referred to Abdullah Khouj,
    director of the center. The Office of the Press Secretary also released
    a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.