It was announced earlier this week that the White House would be celebrating Ramadan - despite shunning Rev. Franklin Graham from the National Day of Prayer event not that long ago.
President Barack Obama will Friday join an evening meal to break the daily fast observed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan, the White House said.As if that wasn't disturbing enough, while at the dinner, Obama threw his support behind yet another issue on which the American people are vehemently against - the Ground Zero mosque.
The hosting of Iftar will be held in a dining room at the White House, his spokesman said.
Obama participated in a traditional Ramadan meal in September 2009, where he praised Islam as an integral part of the United States.
Via the Wall Street Journal:
The president, in his prepared remarks for the Friday evening event, said, "I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground.Wouldn't you love to see Obama make that speech in Mecca but instead pleading for them to allow a church to be built along the Hajj path for those Muslims having second thoughts about their pilgrimage?
"But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan,'' he said.
Here's Gibbs responding to the question on August 3rd.
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