    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [October 16, 2006]
    [Pages 1856-1857]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Iftaar Dinner
    October 16, 2006

        Please be seated. Good evening, and Ramadan Karim. Welcome to the
    White House. Laura and I are really glad you're
    here. This is the sixth year that we have been pleased to host an Iftaar
    at the White House. We're honored to be with you, and once again, we're
    honored to pay tribute to the month of Ramadan.
        Islam is a religion that brings hope and comfort to more than a
    billion people around the world. It has transcended racial and ethnic
    divisions. It has given birth to a rich culture of learning and
    literature and science. And tonight we honor the traditions of a great
    faith by hosting the Iftaar here at the White House.
        I'm so pleased our Secretary of State, Condi Rice, has joined us. Thank you, Madam Secretary. I'm
    pleased that Dr. Elias Zerhouni, who is
    the Director of the NIH, is with us. Good to see you, Elias. I thank
    Imam Eid from the Islamic Institute of Boston,
    who's with us. I welcome all the ambassadors and other members of the
    diplomatic corps.
        Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. For Muslims in
    America and around the world, Ramadan is a special time of prayer and
    fasting, contemplation of God's greatness, and charity and service to
    those in need. And for people of all faiths, it is a good time to
    reflect on the values we hold in common, including love of family,
    gratitude to God, the importance of community, and a commitment to
    tolerance and religious freedom.
        America is a land of many faiths, and we welcome and honor the
    Muslim faith in our Nation. Our society is enriched by our Muslim
    citizens. Your commitment to your faith reminds us all of the precious
    gift of religious freedom in our country. America is a more hopeful
    nation because of the talents and generosity and compassion of our
    Muslim citizens.
        Tonight we have with us a group of special guests, American Muslims
    who are serving our country. We have with us New York City police
    officers and a EMT worker who risked their
    lives to save their fellow citizens on 9/11, a military doctor, and a
    member of the Navy's Chaplain Corps, members of our Foreign Service, and
    military veterans who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq to protect our
    country and help those nations build free and democratic futures.
        One of our guests is Farooq Muhammad.
    Farooq is the son of Pakistani immigrants and was born and raised in
    Brooklyn. He spent the past decade with the New York City Fire
    Department, first as an emergency medical technician and now as a
    paramedic. Farooq was at the World Trade

    [[Page 1857]]

    Center on 9/11, treating victims when the towers collapsed; he narrowly
    escaped death himself. He also recently volunteered in the mountains of
    Kashmir, where he helped treat the victims of last year's devastating
    South Asian earthquake. Farooq's courage and compassion represent the
    best of the American spirit.
        Paramedic Muhammad is a proud Muslim; he
    is a patriotic American. And those are characteristics he shares with
    the other special American guests gathered in this room. All of you
    bring credit to your faith. You make America a better and stronger
    country, and we're honored by your presence tonight.
        The United States also appreciates the many Muslim nations who stand
    with us in the war on terror, some of whom are represented here tonight.
    You know that the majority of the victims of the terrorists have been
    innocent Muslims, and many of you have seen terrorist violence in your
    own cities and your streets. We welcome you here. We are proud to work
    with you to defeat the terrorists and extremists and help bring a
    brighter future to millions of Muslim people throughout the world who
    yearn for moderation and peace.
        On this special evening, we celebrate the millions of Muslims that
    we are proud to call American citizens. We honor the many Islamic
    nations that America is proud to call friends. And we renew the ties of
    friendship that should bind all who trace their faith back to God's call
    on Abraham.
        Laura and I are grateful that you're here.
    Once again, I wish you a blessed Ramadan. And now Imam Eid will say the blessing.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:52 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Imam Talal Y. Eid, founder
    and director of religious affairs, Islamic Institute of Boston.