[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 49 (Monday, December 9, 2002)]
[Page 2132]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on 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 Mohammad, 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 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.