October 5, 2007

Remarks
of
U.S. Consul General Henry V. Jardine
at Iftar party
October 05, 2007

Salaamu Alaikum.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining us here at the U.S. Consulate General for Iftar and I wish you all “Ramzan Mubarak”.

I would like to thank IMAM QARI MD. ALI JAWHAR from Madrassa Mehmoodul Uloom, Kidderpore for leading the prayers this evening.

The Consulate’s hosting of Iftar reflects our commitment to participating in the greater community of Kolkata, a great city with diverse communities, including the Muslim community which contributes to enriching the local culture and tradition. 

Ramadan commemorates the revelation of God’s word to the Prophet.  It is a time of prayer and reflection, of fasting and personal sacrifice, and of charity and compassion.  In the United States, Muslims from diverse backgrounds come together to pray and celebrate this holy month, much the same way as others in the Muslim world.  For many American Muslims – nearly three quarters of whom were not born in the United States – Ramadan provides the opportunity to share the traditions and customs of their various homelands. 

Islam being the fastest growing religion in the United States, awareness about the significance of Ramadan is also growing.  In fact, Ramadan awareness events are held on college and university campuses across the country.  These include library displays, Iftar dinners and special classes about Islam.  During this month, American Muslims educate non-Muslims in American about Islam by holding open house events at local mosques and Islamic centers, organizing Eid Bazaars, conducting public lectures and hosting dinners for the homeless. 

A number of websites have been created to help Muslims across America reach out to non-Muslims in their local communities during the Ramadan period.  Leading Muslim-American organizations distribute “Islam Resource Kits” to promote education and information about Islam.  In some communities, special prayer services are organized to bring together Muslims, Christians and Jews.  Interfaith Iftar dinners are organized in communities across the United States.  In some areas, including Washington, DC, local television stations broadcast daily Ramadan greetings.

For the last few years, the United States Department of State has hosted Iftar dinners for prominent American Muslim leaders, and Muslim prayers have been offered in the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress. 

In this year’s Ramadan message, President George W. Bush said:
“I send greetings to Muslims observing Ramadan in America and around the world.
“Ramadan, the holiest days of the Islamic faith, begins with the first light of dawn and commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad. During the days of fasting, prayer, and worship, Muslims reflect and remember their dependence on God. Ramadan is also an occasion for Muslims to strengthen family and community ties and share God's gifts with those in need.
“America is a land of many faiths, and our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens. May the holy days of Ramadan remind us all to seek a culture of compassion and serve others in charity.
“Laura and I send our best wishes. Ramadan Mubarak.”

GEORGE W. BUSH

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At this year’s Iftar at the White House last evening, in his remarks
President George W. Bush said:
“Tonight we celebrate traditions of Islamic faith, which brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people. For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting. It is a time for charity and service to those less fortunate. It's a time to celebrate Islam's learned and vibrant culture, which has enriched civilization for centuries.
 “Ramadan is also a good time for Americans of all faiths to reflect on the values we hold in common -- including love of family, gratitude to the Almighty, devotion to community, and a commitment to religious liberty. The freedom of worship is central to the American character. It's the first protection in the Bill of Rights. It holds together the fabric of American society -- supporting every individual's right to practice his or her beliefs without fear.

He added:
“Americans have a history of standing with Muslims facing suffering and hardship -- and it's a proud history. Our country defended Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo after the breakup of Yugoslavia. .  . Americans came to the aid of victims of devastating earthquakes in Pakistan, India, and Iran. Americans responded with urgency and compassion to the wreckage of the tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka and Thailand. We're rallying the world to confront the genocide in Sudan, and deliver humanitarian aid for those in dire need. And we support the establishment of a Palestinian democracy to live side by side with Israel in peace.
“As you break your Ramadan fast at this Iftaar dinner, let us renew our faith in the universality of freedom. Let us celebrate the millions of Muslims that we are proud to call American citizens. And let us honor the many Muslim nations that America is proud to call friends.”

I would also like to take this opportunity to say that the Calcutta Consulate has focused consistently on positive interaction with the local Muslim community.  We organized Shaam-E-Ghazal and a Mushaira at American Center, and donated books to more than
20 Madrassas and Islamic institutions in our Consular district.

Last year, we hosted an All India Madrassa Educators’ Conference at Raichak.   In addition, we initiated Micro ACCESS program with four Muslim institutes, organized film shows for students of Muslim institutions, and nominated community leaders and Madrassa educators for special International Visitor Programs to visit the United States and learn how the Muslim community contributes to society in our country.

The American Center in Calcutta organized speaker programs with a number of Islamic and Urdu scholars from the United States and has made considerable effort to broaden and deepen the exchange between the Muslim community in India and the people of the United States.

During tonight’s event, I would encourage you all to look at some of our displays showing the work that the Consulate has done to enhance our outreach in Eastern India.  We also have a display from our Library as well and you can see a sample of some of the materials and books that we have that might be of interest to you.

I would like to end by reading a very moving portion of the Holy Quran:

“Praise be to God who created us from Adam and Eve, who established us on Earth with different nations and languages; who emphasized in His sacred books that nations should strive in the struggle to establish ways and means to know one another and live peacefully together.”
 
Thank you all for coming tonight, please continue to enjoy your time with us. 
Khuda Hafiz.

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