Obama's Ramadan dinner: Big crowd

[cbhope1030]

President Barack Obama's White House seder was a small affair for family and friends. Tonight's Ramadan dinner was a big one:

Cabinet members -- Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius -- attended the dinner celebrating the month-long Muslim period of daytime fasting in the State Dining Room.

Several members of Congress, including the Muslim Reps. Keith Ellison from Minnesota and Andre Carson of Indiana, were there, along with Reps. John Conyers of Michigan and Rush Holt of New Jersey and Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana.



http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/09/obamas_ramadan_dinner_big_crow.html

[snookums1]

In a nation of diversified backgrounds and religions, as our forefathers envisioned, all backgrounds and religions should be honored. A very good thing that should have been done years ago. There should also be Jewish celebrations as they also make up a huge part of our population.

[daniel green]

I think this is absoutely wonderful. Loved that they hosted a Ramadan dinner.

[theal3]

In a nation of diversified backgrounds and religions, as our forefathers envisioned, all backgrounds and religions should be honored. A very good thing that should have been done years ago. There should also be Jewish celebrations as they also make up a huge part of our population.

Yes, I think it's wonderful. All religions respected and honored: he did that at the inauguration, too. Some are too petty to get the significance. I recall the news showing Bush and other Presidents honoring sacred days of others, too, and thought it was good, so the tradition goes on and is even more inclusive. God Bless America and all religions.

[ShooFly]

In a nation of diversified backgrounds and religions, as our forefathers envisioned, all backgrounds and religions should be honored. A very good thing that should have been done years ago. There should also be Jewish celebrations as they also make up a huge part of our population.

I agree...what is considered the three major religions. Don't know how having a dinner with people of various religions represents mixing government and religion. I think some people just have problems when it's other than christians gathering or being recognized, jmo.

[Not Telling]

Hmm... I thought there was this whole "separation of church and state" thing.

What about Scientology? And Confucianism? And Wicca? Do each of the dozens of religions get a celebration?

What does the Obama's inviting guests over for dinner have to do with the separation of church and state? The dinner was voluntary...nothing was being forced upon people against their will...

And separation of church and state refers to Legitimate Powers of government reach actions only and not opinions. American people declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

So...again, I'll ask....what does inviting guests over for dinner have to do with making no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof??????????


Did you complain when the Bush Family celebrated Christmas and decorated the White House for Christmas....how about Easter? Were you concerned that the separation of church and state was being threatened then?

[magythekat]

I agree! Pres. Obama has done something very important, and wonderful! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

moo

Lets not get too carried away on the "important/wonderful" accolades, have you forgotten that Pres. Bush did the same thing?

[Not Telling]

Lets not get too carried away on the "important/wonderful" accolades, have you forgotten that Pres. Bush did the same thing?

I also remember the Bushes sent out Christmas - themed invitations to Jewish Leaders for a Hannukah reception....complete with a Christmas Tree on the front...

[Lynden1000]

I thought you were supposed to fast during Ramadan? What do you get at a Ramadan dinner? An empty plate?

[History Buff]

He embraces all people? Does his administration calling critics domestic terrorists count as embracing all people? And where is the ACLU on this? After all he was giving preference to one religion over another.

[Not Telling]

He embraces all people? Does his administration calling critics domestic terrorists count as embracing all people? And where is the ACLU on this? After all he was giving preference to one religion over another.

Someone from the ACLU attended the dinner...

Would you prefer he not recognize, acknowledge or celebrate any religious days from any religions?

Did you complain about this when Clinton and Bush hosted Iftar dinners at the White House?




Ritual Ramadan Dinner Becomes an Opportunity for Muslims to Reach Out
Published September 25, 2008

Ziad Asali, who heads the American Task Force on Palestine, has been to three such events already — at the White House, the State Department and the Department of the Treasury. Last year he had to choose between two government Iftar events taking place at the same time.

Official White House Iftar dinners began during the Clinton administration and grew in size during the Bush years. “Over the past eight years, we have made the Iftar dinner an annual tradition here at the White House. And I’m really glad we did,” Bush said when opening this year’s September 17 dinner, even wishing participants a “Ramadan mubarak” — a blessed Ramadan. A week earlier, at the State Department, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joked that she had attended several Iftars, even more than one a day.

http://www.forward.com/articles/14277/

[History Buff]

If Liberals are going to be consistent about the whole "separation" thing then the answer to your question would have to be no.