Thursday, August 11, 2011

Obama Honors 9/11 Muslim Heroes at White House

Tears flowed as U.S. President Barack [Obama] hosted the traditional Ramadan dinner at the White House [where he] led the emotional evening last night and thanked the Muslim community for their help in dealing with the September 11 tragedy, which caused nearly 3,000 deaths.

UPDATE 5/10/15: FBI Director Says Satan Leads Islamic Terrorists

For background, read Obama Ramadan Proclamation Low-key, Having Missed Easter and also read Obama Equates Passover to Arab Uprising

UPDATE 7/27/13: Obama Praises Islam for Making America What It Is

UPDATE 6/25/12: Obama a Christian? No, Say Two-Thirds of Americans

UPDATE 12/9/11: Obama Administration Welcoming Islamic Group to Washington for Discussion on ‘Tolerance’

UPDATE 8/29/11 (New York Times): White House tells Americans how to commemorate 9/11, saying it's not 'just about us" -- think of other countries

-- From "White House honors Muslim Americans at annual Iftar dinner" by David Nakamura, Washington Post 8/10/11

With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks approaching next month, President Obama told a crowd of about 100 at the White House’s annual Iftar dinner Wednesday evening that “no matter who we are or how we pray, we’re all children of a loving God.”

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Scott Oren, was among 32 ambassadors invited to the dinner, held in the State Dining Room, according to a list provided by the White House.

Iftar celebrates the end of the daily fasting period observed for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.



Excerpts of President Obama at the Ramadan Iftar Dinner at the White House 8/10/11
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you so much. Everyone, please have a seat, have a seat.

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the White House. Tonight is part of a rich tradition here at the White House of celebrating the holy days of many faiths and the diversity that define us as a nation. So these are quintessentially American celebrations -- people of different faiths coming together, with humility before our maker, to reaffirm our obligations to one another, because no matter who we are, or how we pray, we’re all children of a loving God.

This evening reminds us of both the timeless teachings of a great religion and the enduring strengths of a great nation. Like so many faiths, Islam has always been part of our American family, and Muslim Americans have long contributed to the strength and character of our country, in all walks of life. This has been especially true over the past 10 years.

In one month, we will mark the 10th anniversary of [September 11th when] Muslim Americans were innocent passengers on those planes . . . They were workers in the Twin Towers . . . They were cooks and waiters, but also analysts and executives.

Muslim Americans were first responders . . . On this 10th anniversary, we honor these men and women for what they are — American heroes.

Nor let us forget that every day for these past 10 years Muslim Americans have helped to protect our communities as police and firefighters . . . make no mistake, Muslim Americans help to keep us safe.

This year and every year, we must ask ourselves: How do we honor these patriots . . .
From "'There's no them and us - it's just us'" by Oliver Pickup, UK Daily Mail 8/11/11

Seated in the audience at the dinner were the two members of Congress who practice Islam: Representatives Andre Carson and Keith Ellison.

Huma Abedin, the Muslim aide of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, wife of former Representative Anthony Weiner, recently disgraced, was also in attendance

It was the third dinner that Mr Obama had hosted of this kind and follows a tradition started by Bill Clinton, and continued by George W. Bush.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Clergy & Prayer Banned From 9/11 Memorial Ceremony