Hillary Clinton Hosts Iftar, Reaches Out to Muslim Communities

Like the White House, the Clinton lead State Department has also had a dinner in honor of Ramadan. Apparently much of our government's time is being used up by catering to Islam. Just like in the UK, and look at how well that turned out.

Hillary Clinton Hosts Iftar, Reaches Out to Muslim Communities
September 16, 2009

From Kristina Wong --

Hillary Clinton reached out to Muslim communities at home and abroad by hosting an "iftar" at the State Department Monday evening. "Iftar" refers the one meal participating Muslims have each day after fasting from sun-up to sun-down for one month, in observation of Ramadan -- the holiest period of each year and the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

"The nearly seven million Muslims in our country have enriched our culture, have made us stronger, because of contributions that many of you and others across America have given to us," Clinton said before the meal, to guests comprised of diplomats and prominent members of Muslim American communities in the U.S.

Also speaking before the meal was the State Department's new Special Representative to Muslim Communities, Farah Pandith, sworn-in Monday morning by Secretary Clinton.

"This holy month of Ramadan provides us with these wonderful opportunities to reflect on the principles of a faith that is practiced by more than a billion women and men worldwide. As we fast, we are asked to think of the other, to be cognizant of the importance of respect for all, and to renew our efforts to do good deeds," said Pandith.

"As a Muslim who immigrated to the United States at a young age, I have walked the typical American road. I have balanced my faith and my heritage and my love of my country without pause," Pandith said.

"It is as American to have pad thai, as it is a pizza," she joked.

Clinton acknowledged that the relationship between Muslim communities and other Americans has not always been harmonious. After the attacks of September 11, 2001-- committed by violent extremist Muslims from parts of the Middle East, many Muslim Americans faced outright hostility and prejudice in the U.S.

"Now we recognize that the relationship between the United States and Muslim communities has at times suffered from misunderstanding and misperception," Clinton said. "But we are committed to learning and listening, to creating bridges of understanding, and respect, and building stronger bonds of cooperation."

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Hillary, you might want to talk to your colleague Peter King, about Muslims cooperating.