Trump just ended a long tradition of celebrating Ramadan at the White House
Source: MSN/Washington Post
For the first time in nearly two decades, Ramadan has come and gone without the White House recognizing it with an iftar or Eid celebration, as had taken place each year under the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. In recent weeks, several former White House staff members told The Post they would usually begin planning an iftar months in advance and didnt anticipate the Trump White House could pull something off before the end of Ramadan.
White House officials did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Late Saturday afternoon, the White House released a short statement from President Trump and the first lady recognizing the holiday.
Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity, the statement read. Now, as they commemorate Eid with family and friends, they carry on the tradition of helping neighbors and breaking bread with people from all walks of life. During this holiday, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion, and goodwill. With Muslims around the world, the United States renews our commitment to honor these values. Eid Mubarak.
In late May, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reportedly said the State Department would break with recent tradition and not host a Ramadan reception, as it had done nearly annually for two decades. On Saturday morning, Tillerson also released a brief statement sending best wishes to all Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr.
Read more: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-just-ended-a-long-tradition-of-celebrating-ramadan-at-the-white-house/ar-BBCOn4J?li=BBnb7Kz
Yeah, the Trump administration's actions are not motivated by religious animus...
dhill926
(16,348 posts)Tanuki
(14,919 posts)Eid Mubarak, y'all! Click the link and dance along.
https://mobile.twitter.com/I7sannFt/status/878733871721979905
Hekate
(90,719 posts)...to be working there these days. My heart goes out to them.
MBS
(9,688 posts). . just imagine what the White House household staff must witness every day. The household staff is famously respectful and discreet, but boy must there be stories.
My heart also goes out to them.
It must be even worse to work there now that the Orange One has appointed one of his Trump Hotel personnel to be Head Usher.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)if the White House ignored all religious holidays, including Christian ones. But, that's just my atheist babblings.
SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)keep your religion away from our government, and we'll keep our government from interfering with your religion (up to a point). The religious have become too involved with our government, and for no other reason than their quest for power. Of course that's all religion is about anyway; control, and power (with a shit-load of money thrown in as well). They want the power to influence policy, and that's totally out of line, as far as I'm concerned.
7962
(11,841 posts)It could definitely happen. And the cries of discrimination if denied
BumRushDaShow
(129,140 posts)this administration becomes an "*" in the history of this country.
MBS
(9,688 posts)Ilsa
(61,695 posts)I'm glad they didn't spend the money on it.
LeftInTX
(25,395 posts)But as Ilsa said above it would have been a farce if he did.
A president doesn't have to adhere to Islam to show respect and tolerance.
Obviously Trump does not have respect and tolerance.
Bayard
(22,104 posts)Government needs to stay out of religion, and vice versa. I have no problem with a White House xmas tree, as long as there is no religious attachment. Make it a celebration of family and good cheer. Didn't the Christians borrow heavily from the Pagan winter solstice to craft this holiday anyway? I know that's where the xmas tree comes from.