Washington
\nUS President Donald Trump hosted his first Iftar dinner at the White House during which he sought cooperation from the Muslim world to achieve a future of security and prosperity for all, a move that surprised many in the community after he skipped hosting such a party last year.<\/p>\n
Last year, Trump broke with decades of precedent by not hosting the annual Iftar dinner\u2013a bipartisan tradition that formally began with Bill Clinton in the 1990s but has conceptual roots tracing as far back as under Thomas Jefferson in 1805.<\/p>\n
Trump, who has frequently engaged in anti-Muslim rhetoric, wished Muslims around the world a \u201cRamadan Mubarak\u201d–a blessed holiday and sought cooperation from them to achieve a future of security and prosperity for all.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly by working together can we achieve a future of security and prosperity for all,\u201d Trump told a gathering of diplomats and officials at the iftar dinner on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor this reason, I was proud to make my first foreign trip as President to the heart of the Muslim world, where I addressed an assembly of more than 50 leaders of Muslim-majority countries. That was something,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnership and solidarity that we established over the past year has only deepened with time. So many friendships. So many meetings, even in the Oval Office. And we\u2019ve made a lot of progress, I think, a lot of tremendous progress,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n
After delivering his remarks, Trump sat on the head table, which among others included Saudi Ambassador Prince Khalid Ben Salman and Jordanian envoy Dina Kawar. The Indonesian Ambassador was also seated on the same table.<\/p>\n
Envoys from several Muslim countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Qatar, Bahrain, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Kuwait, Gambia, Ethiopia, Iraq and Bosnia were invited.<\/p>\n
\u201cA very warm welcome to all of the ambassadors here tonight representing Muslim-majority nations. We\u2019re greatly honoured by your presence, and thank you very much for being here. Some very good friends. To each of you and to the Muslims around the world: Ramadan Mubarak,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n
Vice President Mike Pence and several of his Cabinet members, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross attended the Iftar dinner.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight, as we enjoy a magnificent dinner at the White House, let us strive to embody the grace and goodwill that mark the Ramadan season. Let us pray for peace and justice, and let us resolve that these values will guide us as we work together to build a bright and prosperous future that does honour and glory to God,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn gathering together this evening, we honour a sacred tradition of one of the world\u2019s great religions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, members of the some of the Muslim groups held their own Iftar outside the White House in protest against the alleged anti-Muslim rhetoric of the Trump administration.<\/p>\n
Several Muslim civil rights groups pushed back, organising a \u201cNOT Trump\u2019s Iftar\u201d protest at a park across from the White House. The groups say Trump\u2019s heated rhetoric has contributed to an increase in bullying and discrimination against Muslim Americans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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