Bush Praises Islam at White House Ramadan Dinner

Zaman.com ^ | October 18, 2006 | Foreign News Desk

[CrawDaddyCA]

U.S. President George W. Bush met with Muslim leaders living in the United States and a group of diplomatic representatives from Muslim countries on Tuesday for a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner, known as iftar, at the White House.

Bush started his iftar speech with the traditional Ramadan greeting of “Ramadan Karim” when he praised Islam as a religion that brought hope and peace to more than a billion people worldwide.

“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,” Bush said, according to the Associated Press. “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.”

Dinner included soup, fish, tomato salad and a pear soufflé for desert. This was the sixth iftar dinner Bush welcomed Muslims to at the White House since 2001.

Among the guests was Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State.

[CrawDaddyCA]

Pandering...pitiful.

[Dajjal]

HAPPY RAMADAN!!!

[Cindy]

RAMADAN
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ramadan

[Jazzman1]

note to Pres Bush: PLEASE stop sucking up to these parasites. The muzzies intentions are all known and we dont want them around here!

[river rat]

Poor George... He's been under the stain for too long..

Semper Fi

[Jaysun]

Ramadan is more evidence that Moe-Jah-Mid ripped off the idea for his cult from moon-worshiping pagans. It begins on a full moon. The word "Allah" was used in Arabia long before Moe-Jah-Mid came along, "Allah" was their moon god. And the crescent moon is islam's "logo".

[Truth29]

Bush is so conflicted, that he keeps tripping up the GOTV effort to retain control of Congress.

[Dallas59]

Pretending to be a fool...

[peyton randolph]

"when he praised Islam as a religion that brought hope and peace "

*****

President Pander Bear.

[chadwimc]

Piss on islam. May pig dung be upon mohammed's head.

[Vanders9]

If we are going to win this war on terror, we have to keep the majority of muslims "on-side". I dont think its a faith that offers a great deal of substance or comfort to its adherents either, but we can argue that later.

[durasell]

I fail to see why this is a big deal...

[TomasUSMC]

This was the sixth iftar dinner Bush welcomed Muslims to at the White House since 2001.

---

Sure he's better than the democratic alternative but...
SIX TIMES?
jEEZZZ.
This is like, during the fighting of WW2, Roosevelt Praising Nazism as a good political party that just happened to be taken over by extremist...and that he knew the vast majority of casualties were German. ....

Maybe next week he will have dinner with the North Koreans and tell them that their austere energy measures are doing wonders to help stop global warming.

or maybe our President ought to sit down and have dinner with the parents and spouses and children of the 70 dead and hundreds of wounded AMERICAN troops who were killed and wounded DURING --- RAM MAD DAN.....by moslems.

[hoosierham]

dittos

[PghBaldy]

Ignoring the obvious issues with Islam at large, why not celebrate Hindu holidays, or Shinto holidays, or Buddhist holidays?

[PghBaldy]

I wasn't finished- my point was did this all start after 9/11? Or did Clinton start it? Like I said, it is foolishness. I could see celebrating Jewish & Christian holidays, because our country's heritage is Judeo-Christian. This is just stupid. There is no need for it.

[Always Right]

Islam was founded by violence and history is filled with Islamic lead violence ever since. There is nothing peaceful about Islam.

[Jezebelle]

I wish he would really stop the appeasement and pandering. I realize a little bit of it is necessary, but MUST he honor them by inviting them to WH dinners?

[Dane]

I realize a little bit of it is necessary, but MUST he honor them by inviting them to WH dinners?

So Reagan was wrong when he had Gorbachev at a WHite House dinner.

This is diplomacy, I guess most people read the headline and miss the meat of Bush's message.

"“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,” Bush said, according to the Associated Press. “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.”"

But actually reading the article won't stop some from haveing a knee jerk Bush bash.

[Timbo64]

I hope and pray that President Bush is just telling them what they want to hear. If he truly believes this way about Islam, we are fu---d!!

[freeangel]

If you lie down with dogs--well, you know--you'r either going to get fleas or humped.

[backtothestreets]

If we are going to win this war on terror, we have to keep the majority of muslims "on-side". I dont think its a faith that offers a great deal of substance or comfort to its adherents either, but we can argue that later.

It needs to argued now as Islam views religion and government as integrated as one, quite unlike Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions that view religion and government as separate entities. Either we accept Islam as both our religion and the final authority over our government, or we retain our heritage. The choice is ours, and that too separates us from Islam.

[cicero106]

"I hope and pray that President Bush is just telling them what they want to hear. If he truly believes this way about Islam, we are fu---d!!"
He sounds really naive, even french politicians wouldn't say these things.

[Dane]

"I hope and pray that President Bush is just telling them what they want to hear. If he truly believes this way about Islam, we are fu---d!!" He sounds really naive, even french politicians wouldn't say these things

Naive? Bush saying the vast majority of victims of the islamofascists are moslem is naive?

BTW, the french wouyld be blaming the west and not the islamofascists, but go ahead with your Bush bash as you don't read the words he actually said.

[backtothestreets]

Ignoring the obvious issues with Islam at large, why not celebrate Hindu holidays, or Shinto holidays, or Buddhist holidays?

The President and Mrs. Bush did the Shinto thing a few years back. Most likely his imams critized the practice and he hasn't repeated it since.

[durasell]

Uh, there's over a billion muslims in the world, several million in the U.S. Prince Bandar from Saudi, has been a friend of the Bush family for decades. And the U.S. requires cooperation in the region.

How is any of this either bad politics or a surprise?

[Miss Marple]

Is this the annual complaint thread about the White House Ramadan dinner? It runs like clockwork every year.

[sit-rep]

lol...

[little jeremiah]

I was just wondering the same thing. Does he make a point to have special holiday dinners and shower praise on any other religion, or just Islam?

[sure_fine]

I would like to hope his praise for islam is about like mine for cow manurer and fertilizing a garden



but I don't

[cicero106]

" Naive? Bush saying the vast majority of victims of the islamofascists are moslem is naive? "
Yes, he is naive when is still calls Islam a religion of peace. I don't think he understand that Islam is both religion and politics, Islam cannot coexist together with any political system. Bush don't have to give so much praise to Islam and Islamic leaders, it makes him look weak and dumb. How about pandering to those poor slobs that elected him, that would be something.

[Dane]

Yes, he is naive when is still calls Islam a religion of peace.

So you are saying that the President should act like Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan and call islam a gutter religion, like Farrakhan called Judaism.

Yeah real good role model to follow there(rolling eyes)

[backtothestreets]

I'm in need of a reality check. Can anyone tell me of any Muslims that come to mind immediately for contributions they gave society, thus enriching our society? Anyone come to mind in music, literature, transportation, medicine, government, chemistry, household appliances, lawn service, anything? (Must exclude increases in weapons and protection related sales.)

[Miss Marple]

Every year there is a Hannukah celebration at the White House, with the lighting of the Menorah.

[backtothestreets]

I don't think he understand that Islam is both religion and politics

Be careful. Lots of people get confused by the facts. Aside from that you hit the nail on the head. Islam is both religion and politics.

[cicero106]

He don't need to say anything. He don't have to meet these people and he don't have to praise Islam. Have you heard muslim leaders praise christianity or the US?

[durasell]

Have you heard muslim leaders praise christianity or the US?



Hamid Karzai

[djf]

Praising them enables and encourages them.

I don't think that's a good thing.

[little jeremiah]

Thanks for the info.

[wolfey1]

If you lie down with CAMELS--You will get sand fleas,or double humped.

[durasell]

entirely inappropriate and disrespectful.

[Dane]

He don't need to say anything. He don't have to meet these people and he don't have to praise Islam.

Huh and stay silent about the truth that it is the islamofascists who are killing moslems.

You would have already known what Bush said(basically damning islamofascism) if you had read the article and not kneejerkingly go by the headline.

[Popman]

I fail to see why this is a big deal...

Of course it's a big deal. Don't you know the President is supposed to insult and piss on Islam just to make his base feel happy. "Rolling eyes"

After all, if we are ever going to get moderate Muslims to start pushing back against the extremist element within their own ranks, we should just piss them all off to make people happy and show the world Bush is the man not to be trifled with."Rolling eyes"

Ramadam is not the time to show your ass to the Muslim world.

Some people just don't get it.

[durasell]

Well yeah, okay...so can we take turns insulting other religions then?

Zarostians seem pretty arrogant to me...

[whatisthetruth]

So do I believe President Bush or my soon to be decapitated
head?

[KDD]

ATTENDEES AT THE PRESIDENT'S White House IFTAAR DINNER

AMBASSADORS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

His Excellency Dr. Farid Abboud, Ambassador of Lebanon
His Excellency Baktybek Abdrissaev, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic
The Honorable Mahmoud Aboud, Charge d'Affaires ad interim, Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
The Honorable Augustine Agada, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
His Excellency Syed Hasan Ahmad, Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
His Excellency Bader Omar Al Dafa, Ambassador of the State of Qatar
His Excellency Alasri Saeed Al Dhahri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates
His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Khusaiby, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman
His Excellency Abdulwahab A. Al-Hajjri, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen
His Excellency Rashid Alimov, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan
His Excellency Khalifa Ali Al-Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain
His Excellency Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait
His Excellency Dr. Rostom Al-Zoubi, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic
His Excellency Hatem Atallah, Ambassador of Tunisia
His Excellency Amadou Lamine Ba, Appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal
His Excellency Rafiou Alpha Oumar Barry, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea
Mr. Emad Madani (Guest of His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan), Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Saudi Arabia
His Excellency Soemadi D. M. Brotodiningrat, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia
The Honorable Hassan Conteh, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Sierra Leone
Mr. Henrique Da Silva, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Guinea Bissau
His Excellency Cheick Oumar Diarrah, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali
Mr. Guy Marcel Eboumy, Counselor, Embassy of the Gabonese Republic
The Honorable Raymond Epote, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Cameroon
His Excellency M. Nabil Fahmy, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt
His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Khalid Ghazzali, Ambassador of Malaysia
The Honorable Mohammed Ghozlani, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Kingdom of Morocco
His Excellency Dr. Odeen Ishmael, Ambassador of the Republic of Guyana
His Excellency Idriss Jazairy, Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
His Excellency Karim Kawar, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
His Excellency Shavkat Shodiyevich Khamrakulov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan
His Excellency Pascal D. Kokora, Ambassador of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
His Excellency Sakthip Krairiksh, Ambassador of Thailand
His Excellency (Dr Mohamed Latheef, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives
His Excellency Dr. Osman Faruk Logoglu, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Counselor Elmar Mamedyarov, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Azerbaijan
His Excellency Cyrille Oguin, Ambassador of the Republic of Benin
His Excellency Roble Olhaye, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti
His Excellency Meret Bairamovich Orazov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan
His Excellency Mohamedou Ould Michel, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
His Excellency Armando Alexandre Panguene, Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique
His Excellency Pengiran Anak Dato Puteh, Ambassador of the State of Brunei Darussalam
His Excellency Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Ambassador of Pakistan
His Excellency Kanat B. Saudabayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan
His Excellency Essa Bokar Sey, Ambassador of the Gambia
His Excellency Ishaq Shahryar, Ambassador of Afghanistan
His Excellency Hassaballah Ahmat Soubiane, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad
Her Excellency Edith Grace Ssempala, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda
His Excellency Dr. Fatos Tarifa, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania
His Excellency Emmanuel Touaboy, Ambassador of Central African Republic

AMERICAN MUSLIM LEADERS
Mr. Khaled Saffuri, Islamic Institute
Dr. Ziad Asali, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Dr. Yahya Basha, American Muslim Council
Shaykh Hicham Muhammad Kabbani, Islamic Supreme Council of America
Dr. Sayyid Syeed, Secretary General, Islamic Society of North America
Dr. Akbar Ahmed, American University
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, UCLA School of Law
Imam Hassan Qazwini, Islamic Center of America
Mr. Hanif Akhtar, Pakistani Business Association
Dr. Raana Akbar, Association Pakistani Physicians of North America
Dr. Nisar Chaudry, Pakistani American Congress
Imam W. Deen Mohammed, The Mosque Cares
Mr. Qaseem Uqdah, American Muslim Armed Forces Council
Imam Mohamed Magid Ali, All Dulles Area Muslim Society
Mrs. Seeme Hasan, Hasan Family Foundation
Mrs. Guler Koknar, Assembly of Turkish American Assoc
Dr. Shamim Ibrahim, NISWA
Dr. Azizah Al-Hibri, President, Karamah
Ms. Shareefa Alkhateeb, North American Council for Muslim Women
Mr. Ali Jawad, Armada Oil and Gas
Mr. Farooq Kathwari, Ethan Allen
Dr. Amanullah Khan, Cancer Center Associates
Dr. Laith Kubba, National Endowment for Democracy
Mr. Mohammad Fadel, National Association of Muslim Lawyers
President Bush Iftar Dinner comments - http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/11/20021107-11.html

In hosting tonight's Iftaar, I send a message to all the nations represented by their ambassadors here tonight: America treasures your friendship. America honors your faith.

We see in Islam a religion that traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. We share your belief in God's justice, and your insistence on man's moral responsibility. We thank the many Muslim nations who stand with us against terror. Nations that are often victims of terror, themselves.

Tonight's Iftaar also sends a message to all Americans: our nation is waging a war on a radical network of terrorists, not on a religion and not on a civilization. If we wage this war to defend our principles, we must live up to those principles, ourselves. And one of the deepest commitments of America is tolerance. No one should be treated unkindly because of the color of their skin or the content of their creed. No one should be unfairly judged by appearance or ethnic background, or religious faith. We must uphold these values of progress and pluralism and tolerance.

President G.W. Bush

[Popman]

My post was a sarcasm!

[durasell]

So was mine...

but what's the deal with the Shakers? I mean really, do they expect to get a pass based on that crappy furniture?