President Trump failed to play host to an Iftar dinner during Ramadan, breaking with a White House tradition that had spanned nearly two decades.
The event had been held throughout the course of three different administrations on both sides of the political aisle.
The media, naturally, has been apoplectic over the fact that the tradition has been overlooked this year. Which shows you exactly where their priorities lie.
The media is more upset at Trump not going to Ramadan dinner than the 1500 victims of Islamic terror during Ramadan. Let that sink in
— Steve Koplowitz (@JuicyPolitics) June 26, 2017
Via the Guardian:
Donald Trump has not hosted an iftar dinner during Ramadan, breaking a nearly 20-year tradition.
Despite events held by previous administrations from across the political divide, this year’s Ramadan – which began on 26 May – passed nearly unobserved by the White House. It was marked only by a statement published late on Saturday afternoon, coinciding with the end of the holy month.
…
Hillary Clinton resurrected the event when she was First Lady in February 1996, hosting about 150 people for a reception for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month.
The sunset dinner, attended by legislators, diplomats and leaders within the US Muslim community, went onto become an annual tradition from 1999, observed by the past three administrations.
In May, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson put an end to the State Department’s annual Ramadan reception. Tillerson’s staff issued a memo recommending he follow tradition, but he declined regardless.
President Obama, who hosted the last White House Ramadan celebration, took the opportunity at the time to blast Trump, saying “I stand firmly with Muslim American communities in rejection of the voices that seek to divide us or limit our religious freedoms or civil rights.”
By contrast, Trump issued a statement as Ramadan began, taking a shot not at political opponents, but at actual terrorists killing in the name of radical Islam.
“The holiday begins as the world mourns the innocent victims of barbaric terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom and Egypt, acts of depravity that are directly contrary to the spirit of Ramadan,” the President said. “Such acts only steel our resolve to defeat the terrorists and their perverted ideology.”
If we can make it through a #Ramadan without a terrorist attack, @realDonaldTrump will consider holding a dinner for you again. #SquadGoals
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DenaldJTrumpJr) June 25, 2017
The above may be a parody account, but it doesn’t seem like all that much to ask.
Meanwhile, the President and First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement regarding Ramadan.
“Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity,” it reads in part.
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Should the White House have held a Ramadan celebration in the White House? Tell us why or why not below!