[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 42 (Monday, October 23, 2006)]
[Pages 1830-1831]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 1831]]

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 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.