[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 40 (Monday, October 8, 2007)]
[Pages 1302-1303]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Iftaar Dinner

October 4, 2007

    Thank you all for coming. Please be seated. Ramadan Mubarak. Laura 
and I are pleased to have you here for our seventh Iftaar dinner. 
Tonight we celebrate traditions of Islamic faith, which brings hope and 
comfort to more than a billion people. For Muslims around the world, the 
holy month of Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting. It is a 
time for charity and service to those less fortunate. It's a time to 
celebrate Islam's learned and vibrant culture, which has enriched 
civilization for centuries.
    Ramadan is also a good time for Americans of all faiths to reflect 
on the values we hold in common--including love of family, gratitude to 
the Almighty, devotion to community, and a commitment to religious 
liberty. The freedom of worship is central to the American character. 
It's the first protection in the Bill of Rights. It holds together the 
fabric of American society, supporting every individual's right to 
practice his or her beliefs without fear.
    Today, our world is at war with violent extremists who seek to tear 
the fabric of our society and stop the advance of freedom in Muslim 
societies around the world. They attack holy sites, destroy mosques and 
minarets, and kill innocent men, women, and children--including Muslims 
who do not share their radical views. They believe that by spreading 
chaos and violence they can frustrate the desire of Muslims to live in 
freedom and peace. We say to them, you don't represent Muslims, you do 
not represent Islam--and you will not succeed.
    America is standing with mainstream citizens across the broader 
Middle East. We stand with nearly 12 million Iraqis who voted for a 
democratic future for their children. We're standing with Afghan people, 
as they defend their young democracy against the Taliban and Al Qaida. 
We're standing with the Lebanese people, who raised the banner of a 
Cedar Revolution to reclaim their freedom and independence. We're 
standing with all who seek the blessings of liberty and the peace that 
freedom brings.
    Americans have a history of standing with Muslims facing suffering 
and hardship--and it's a proud history. Our country defended Muslims in 
Bosnia and Kosovo after the breakup of Yugoslavia. We supported Kuwait 
after it was invaded by Saddam Hussein. Americans came to the aid of 
victims of devastating earthquakes in Pakistan, India, and Iran. 
Americans responded with urgency and compassion to the wreckage of the 
tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka and Thailand. We're rallying the 
world to confront the genocide in Sudan and deliver humanitarian aid for 
those in dire need. And we support

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the establishment of a Palestinian democracy to live side by side with 
Israel in peace.
    As you break your Ramadan fast at this Iftaar dinner, let us renew 
our faith in the universality of freedom. Let us celebrate the millions 
of Muslims that we are proud to call American citizens. And let us honor 
the many Muslim nations that America is proud to call friends.
    Laura and I are grateful you're here. Thank you for coming. We wish 
you a blessed Ramadan. And now I ask the Imam to say the blessing.

Note: The President spoke at 7:16 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to Lt. Cmdr. Abuhena M. 
Saifulislam, USN, Navy Chaplain Corps.