US President George W Bush on Tuesday hosted an Iftaar dinner attended among others by Indian Ambassasor Ronen Sen, demonstrating the multi-religious nature of the American society.
President Bush's guests in the State Dining Room last night included not only Muslim citizens of America and ambassadors of Islamic nations, but also countries with large Muslim populations, like India represented by Sen, Sri Lanka by Ambassador Bernard A B Goonetilleke and Thailand by is Charge d' Affaires Chirachai Punkrasin.
First Lady Laura Bush hosted a smaller Iftaar dinner for ladies. Bush, speaking after an Imam-led prayer, revealed that 'for the first time in our nation's history, we have added a Koran to the White House Library'.
"All of us gathered tonight," said Bush, "share a conviction that America must remain a welcoming and tolerant land, in which our people are free to practice any faith they choose.
We reject every form of ethnic and religious discrimination. As I said in my second Inaugural Address, we cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time."
"We also share a common hope for the future-- that our children and grandchildren will grow up in a safer and more peaceful world," said Bush.
Photograph: Getty Images
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