White House IFTAR (dinner after Ramadan fast of day) - August 10 post-sunset

as noted in OBAMA Food-o-rama (blog here at Google Blogger) --

President Obama on Wednesday night (August 10, 2011) marked the holy month of Ramadan as he hosted the third Iftar dinner of his Administration in the State Dining Room, beginning shortly after 8:40 PM in accordance with the Islamic requirement of fasting until sunset. The President, clad in a dark suit and standing beneath the famous painting of President Abraham Lincoln that hangs above the fireplace in the State Dining Room, honored the service and sacrifice of Muslim Americans during seven minutes of remarks. He looked ahead to next month's tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, when he will observe the aftermath of what he called "a difficult decade" with ceremonies at Ground Zero, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon. Special guests for the dinner for about 100 guests were family members of Muslim 9/11 victims and first responders, as well as family members of troops who were casualties in the wars that followed.

"It will be a time to honor all those that we’ve lost, the families who carry on their legacy, the heroes who rushed to help that day and all who have served to keep us safe during a difficult decade," President Obama said. "And tonight, it’s worth remembering that these Americans were of many faiths and backgrounds, including proud and patriotic Muslim Americans."

Guest also included the two Muslim Members of Congress: Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MINN) and Rep. Andre Carson (IND), as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, including 13 Arab Ambassadors from Saudia Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, UAE, Yemen and the PLO representative, among other nations. Other guests were religious and community leaders, and senior White House officials. There were two pro sports players: Hamza Abdullah of the Arizona Cardinals and Husain Abdullah of the Minnesota Vikings.

"Muslim Americans have long contributed to the strength and character of our country, in all walks of life. This has been especially true over the past 10 years," President Obama said.

Muslims, President Obama said, were passengers on the planes that struck the Twin Towers, and working in the buildings as well as at the Pentagon.

"They were...Americans by birth and Americans by choice, immigrants who crossed the oceans to give their children a better life," President Obama said. “They were cooks and waiters, but also analysts and executives."

http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2011/08/president-obama-honors-muslim-americans.html