Posted on 10/27/2006 7:42:38 PM PDT by radar101
U.S. State Department Honors Islam in month in which American soldiers stationed in Iraq suffered the most deaths!
While Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq are killing U.S. soldiers and Muslims in Israel are killing Israelis and Muslims in Europe are killing Europeans and Muslims in Iran are saying the United States and Israel must be destroyed, is it an ironic twist that in the ornate halls of the United States Department of State Muslims are being honored as a peaceful religion?
Featured last week on the front page of the State Department’s website were the remarks of Karen Hughes, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, saying “Islam is a part of America and as a government official I am honored to represent it.”
Hughes, dressed in traditional Islamic garb, attended a ceremony marking the end of Ramadan. Muslims fast during Ramadan and break the fast with what they call Iftar dinners. Hughes continued, “Many of our government agencies have hosted Iftar dinners. The President celebrated an Iftar at the White House and I had the honor of meeting accomplished Muslim women and men from all over the world at our own Department of State Iftar. American Embassies throughout the world also opened their doors to welcome Muslims and to publicly celebrate the holy month of Ramadan together.”
President Bush issued a statement from the White House, marking the end of Ramadan. He said in part, “Islam is a great faith that has transcended racial and ethnic divisions and brought hope and comfort to many people.”
Neither the President nor the State Department mentioned that during Ramadan, more American soldiers were killed by the people of the great faith of Islam than at any previous time. The President did not bother to challenge these leaders of peace to stop the violence and terrorism. The very act of celebrating this death cult religion only rewards its violent leaders for the evil brought onto the world since Mohammed began killing Jews and Christians after his so-called “holy vision.”
The Koran says in 9:30, “The last hour will not come before the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims kill them, so that Jews will hide behind stones and trees and the Stone and the tree will say, O Muslim, O servant of God! There is a Jew behind me; come and kill him.” And the Koran says in 5:51, “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends.” Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” And Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”
There is a fine line between loving, blessing and praying for your enemy, and approving of your enemy’s intent to destroy you.
Including suicide bombers who are promised 72 virgins.
Fairfax, Virginia
October 23, 2006
Under Secretary Hughes:
Assalamu alaikum.
I am delighted to be here to share this greatly awaited and joyous holiday. I wish all of you Eid Mubarak!
Today is an important day – a joyful celebration for Muslims across the world that marks not only the end of Ramadan, but also the opportunity to look forward with hope and gratitude, renewed by the past month of self-denial, self-control, fasting, and prayer.
As I join you this morning, I notice many of you are wearing a colorful and wonderful array of traditional dress, from so many countries, and I am reminded that people from Muslim communities are an important part of what makes America a vibrant mosaic of cultures. Islam is a part of America. As a government official, I represent an estimated six to seven million American Muslims who live, work and worship freely in our country, and are both American and Muslim. Our country is strengthened by the diversity of our people’s faiths and traditions.
I am honored to be with you today and grateful for the warm expressions of hospitality and community that I have experienced the last few weeks in sharing Iftar celebrations, breaking bread together, listening and learning more about Islam, during the month of Ramadan.
Many of our government agencies have hosted Iftar dinners. Last Monday the President celebrated an Iftar at the White House and I had the honor of meeting accomplished Muslim women and men from all over the world at our own Department of State Iftaar. American Embassies throughout the world also opened their doors to welcome Muslims and to publicly celebrate the holy month of Ramadan together. I see friends here today that I made at an Iftar that brought together people of different faiths at a private home and I am grateful for the partnership of individual Muslim Americans who are leaders in fostering understanding and peace.
For me, this holy day is a reminder of the values that Americans share with people across the world: the importance of family and community, and a profound gratitude for the precious gift of life.
Looking around this morning I am delighted to see so many families – it highlights our shared appreciation of the family values that bind and sustain us, individually and as a nation.
Strong families and communities are built on a foundation of trust and respect, and are only strengthened as we connect and learn to rely on one another.
In celebrating Eid, we also celebrate community, coming together, just as we are today, from many backgrounds, heritages and walks of life. At this time of conflict, war and uncertainty, as we come together today, I hope each of us with make a new commitment to do everything each of us can to foster greater respect and understanding – as the Imam said, to reach out to others in a spirit of kindness and mercy that is so needed in today’s world.
I am here today to affirm America’s respect, partnership and connection with Muslim communities here in the US and across the world. Our goal as Americans is to reach out to other nations and peoples in a spirit of partnership, to be partners for peace and progress.
Today is also a day of gratitude, a day to thank our Creator for the blessings we have received: the freedoms and opportunity we enjoy in this country – freedom to worship as our conscience dictates, the opportunity to live in a country where every person is equal, and equally deserving of dignity and respect. Today is a day for all of us to be reminded of the abundance in which we live.
It is inspiring to see so many beautiful children here, and I was delighted to learn about their acts of kindness in preparing food for the homeless. Now if the children here are anything like mine were, I’m sure they are eager to celebrate the festivities by receiving money, gifts and sweets over the next three days, but as we look into their precious faces, we are also reminded of how important it is to continue to build bridges of understanding and respect across differences of faith or ethnicity, and between countries around the world. By doing so, we help ensure that our children grow up in a safer and better world, not a more divided and dangerous one.
I commend the All Dulles Area Muslim Society today, for leading by example in sharing the rich traditions and significance of Islam with guests. Thank you so much for welcoming me to join you this morning. Eid Mubarak!
Why does this administration keep confusing Islam with the Amish!?!
You're not getting it, guys. Islam is the freaking Terminator of religions. Until it converts or kills every last human, IT WILL NOT STOP.
Great bunch we got down there in DC and the crowd that will likely take over Congress is even worse.
"The President celebrated an Iftar at the White House and I had the honor of meeting accomplished Muslim women and men from all over the world at our own Department of State Iftar. American Embassies throughout the world also opened their doors to welcome Muslims and to publicly celebrate the holy month of Ramadan together.”
Yeah, I remember the Great Lents when our embassies around the world opened their doors to Latin and Orthodox Christians to show respect for the holiest time in the Christian year. Oops, no I don't, my mistake; what I remember is the bombing of Belgrade on Good Friday!
I understand why they have to do it.
I understand why they have to call Islam a religion.
I understand why they must try to supress hostilities toward Christians and Jews.
But the time to suck up to these savages is long gone, it's time to kick some serious ass, and rid the world of these demented stone-age savages.
Time to take out the trash!
Dunno.
They're quite different!
I'm not sure about vomiting, but crying, certainly.
Would the US State Department put out this same kind of honor over a Christian Holiday?
I used to have some respect for Karen Hughes. Bush should not be wasting her talents on this useless business. Here we are, coming up on the election, and she is wasting her time trying to suck up to Muslims instead of doing what she should be doing, helping to get out the vote.
OMG.....Oh My G*d......WHY on earth would she do such a thing.....did we dress as Japanese people during WWII? Are we sure this is accurate...........OMG.
From the folks who brought you Joe Wilson...
I wonder if the Amish have seen this video yet. :)
["Could you (I) vomit?"]
Yeah sure. Between reading enough of The Koran while drinking enough Jack Daniels I think I can.
The problem is, is I don't which of one the two is making me vomit.
Get a spin Karen Hughes before it is too late! Too late for America you idiot!
Probably not, which is just as well. I admire the Amish, but I couldn't resist.
Coolio was miffed at Al Yankovic, though, I heard. Sore loser, IMO!
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