It's Ramadan at Obama's White House
on the fifth anniversary of Beslan.
9.1.09
...
President Barack Obama highlighted the contributions made by Muslims to American culture and the “dynamism and diversity” of the Islamic community.
“Islam, as we know, is part of America,” Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. “Together we have a responsibility to foster engagement grounded in mutual interest and mutual respect.”
“That’s one of my fundamental commitments as president both at home and abroad,” Obama said. “That is central to the new beginning that I’ve sought between the United States and Muslims around the world and that is a commitment that we can renew once again during this holy season.”
Honoring Ramadan, which began Aug. 22, is the latest part of Obama’s sustained outreach efforts to the Muslim world. The president pledged during a June 4 speech in Cairo, Egypt to “seek a new beginning” between the U.S. and Islam.
Seated next to Obama was Bilquis Abdul-Qaadir, a devout Muslim who, as a high-school basketball player in Massachusetts, scored more than 3,000 points, breaking the state record -- while wearing a traditional hijab." (here)
Singling her out for a round of applause and noting that she’s under five foot five inches tall, Obama said Abdul-Qaadir is “an inspiration not simply to Muslim girls, she’s an inspiration to all of us.”
It should have been Rifqa Bary. Rifqa should have been seated next to Obama. He should have singled her out for singular courage...
President Barack Obama highlighted the contributions made by Muslims to American culture and the “dynamism and diversity” of the Islamic community.
“Islam, as we know, is part of America,” Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. “Together we have a responsibility to foster engagement grounded in mutual interest and mutual respect.”
“That’s one of my fundamental commitments as president both at home and abroad,” Obama said. “That is central to the new beginning that I’ve sought between the United States and Muslims around the world and that is a commitment that we can renew once again during this holy season.”
Honoring Ramadan, which began Aug. 22, is the latest part of Obama’s sustained outreach efforts to the Muslim world. The president pledged during a June 4 speech in Cairo, Egypt to “seek a new beginning” between the U.S. and Islam.
Seated next to Obama was Bilquis Abdul-Qaadir, a devout Muslim who, as a high-school basketball player in Massachusetts, scored more than 3,000 points, breaking the state record -- while wearing a traditional hijab." (here)
Singling her out for a round of applause and noting that she’s under five foot five inches tall, Obama said Abdul-Qaadir is “an inspiration not simply to Muslim girls, she’s an inspiration to all of us.”
It should have been Rifqa Bary. Rifqa should have been seated next to Obama. He should have singled her out for singular courage...
posted by jillosophy at 9/02/2009 04:36:00 PM
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