| President Bush welcomed Muslim
leaders to the White House Monday evening for the traditional meal that
marks the end of the daily Ramadan fast. The guests also included
Muslim-Americans who serve as fire-fighters, police officers, and members
of the military.
It has become an annual event at the White House, an opportunity for
the president to honor the Muslim-American community by hosting an Iftaar
dinner.
In the past, the guest list has been made up largely of religious
leaders and ambassadors from countries with large Muslim populations.
This year, there were new faces in the State Dining Room for the meal
of soup, fish and pear soufflé. They were the faces of American Muslims
whose life work is public service.
"We have with us New York City police officers and an EMT [emergency
medical technician] worker who risked their lives to serve their fellow
citizens on 9/11, a military doctor and a member of the Navy chaplain
corps, members of our foreign service, and military veterans who have
served in Afghanistan and Iraq," said President Bush.
President Bush praised these men, saying they bring credit to their
faith, and by their deeds make America a better and stronger country.
The president went on to say the United States also appreciates the
many Muslim nations that stand with America in the war on terror. He noted
that several of them sent representatives to the White House Iftaar
dinner.
"We welcome you here," he said. "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."
This was the sixth Iftaar dinner hosted by President Bush at the White
House. The first was held after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the
United States as part of an effort to convince the Muslim-American
community that its contributions to the nation are appreciated, and to
underscore the message that the United States is waging war on terrorism and not on
Islam. | 
