President Obama -- remarks July 21, 2016 -- on occasion of Eid-al-Fitr (holiday following Ramadan)

 I want to welcome to the White House everybody who is here.
For the past seven years, we’ve held our annual Iftar dinner.  Some of you have joined us on those occasions.  This year, for my last year as President, I wanted to do something a little bit different, and I’m very proud to host this Eid celebration at the White House.  (Applause.)  I want give some particular thanks to our White House liaison to the Muslim American community, Zaki Barzinji -- (applause) -- for his great work on our event.  And we’re joined by so many proud and patriotic Muslim Americans from across the country and from all walks of life.
This Ramadan, we said goodbye to somebody who was not only a friend to many here, a great American -- somebody who I had the great honor to know -- the Greatest, the Champ, Muhammad Ali.  (Applause.)  And as proud of his blackness as he was of his faith, the Champ taught us that the most important thing in life is to be ourselves.  And so today, we are especially honored to be joined by his wonderful wife, Lonnie, and six of his children. So let’s give them a big round of applause.
So we’re coming together to celebrate Eid and the blessings of another holy month of Ramadan.  I know we are a little late this year.  (Laughter.)  The advantage is that you’re not as hungry as you were a couple of weeks ago.  (Laughter.)  But our celebration is just as festive, the food is just as good.
For Muslims across the United States and around the world, this is a time of spiritual renewal -- a time to reaffirm your duty to serve one another, especially the least fortunate among us.  And it’s a time to reflect on the values that guide you in your faith -- gratitude, compassion and generosity.  And it’s a reminder that those values of Islam -- which comes from the word salaam, meaning peace -- are universal.  They bind us all, regardless of our race or religion or creed, in a common purpose, and that is in our shared commitment to the dignity of every human being.
Today is also another reminder that Muslims have always been a part of America.  In colonial times, many of the slaves brought over from Africa were Muslim.  We insisted on freedom of religion, in Thomas Jefferson’s words, for, “the Jew and Gentile, the Christian and the Mahometan.”  For more than two centuries, Muslim Americans of all backgrounds -- Arab and Asian, African and Latino, black and white -- have helped build America as farmers and merchants, factory workers, architects, teachers and community leaders.
And Muslim Americans have enriched our lives every single day.  You’re the doctors we trust with our health, entrepreneurs who create jobs, artists who inspire us, activists for social justice -- like the LGBT Muslims who are on the frontlines in the fight for equality.  (Applause.)  You’re the athletes that we cheer for -- like American fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammad -- (applause) -- who is going to be proudly wearing her hijab when she represents America at the Rio Olympics.  No pressure.
Muslim Americans help keep us safe.  You’re our firefighters, our police officers -- like Deputy Police Chief Malik Aziz of the Dallas Police Department, who’s helping that community that is still grieving heal after the tragic attack against law enforcement in that city.  “There can be no actual progress unless we actually work together,” Malik has said.  “The police and the community must work together.  There is no us versus them.”  So we thank Malik for his outstanding service.
And Muslim Americans serve proudly in our armed forces, risking their lives to defend our freedom.  (Applause.)  We’re especially honored to be joined by veterans here today like Sheikh Nazeem Abdul Karriem, who fought in World War II.  (Applause.)  He said he’s 95, but I think he’s lying.  (Laughter.)  He looks younger.  He says he tells people he’s 59. (Laughter.)  But we are so proud of him and what he’s done to fight for our freedom.  And I’d ask all our proud service members and veterans, if you can, to raise your hands so that we can thank you for your service.  (Applause.)
By the way, I should mention that Muslim Americans aren’t just heroes in real life.  One of today’s most popular comic book superheroes is a Pakistani American girl named Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel.  (Applause.)  And I’m a comic book fan.  (Laughter.)  But it’s important that our children see positive, rich portrayals of all people, including Muslims, from all walks of life -- not just in the national security context.  In the news and TV and movies, the diversity and depth of the Muslim American experience needs to be portrayed.
So let’s be clear:  Muslim Americans are as patriotic, as integrated, as American as any other members of the American family.  (Applause.)  And whether your family has been here for generations or you’re a new arrival, you’re an essential part of the fabric of our country.
Now, of course, we can’t deny that we’re in challenging times right now.  This is a difficult time for Muslim Americans.
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, that --
AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT:  No, no, no, no, no.  No, no.  Michelle is going to come down and scold you.  (Laughter.)  Don’t say that.  .  .  .
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/07/21/remarks-president-eid-reception