OBAMA: NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL UNSAFE IN PLACES OF WORSHIP

This Eid, we recommit to protecting Muslim Americans against bigotry and xenophobia, while celebrating the contributions of Muslim Americans around the country

US, July 6, 2016 – President Barack Obama today reflected on the Eid celebration, stressing that for Muslim Americans, it an opportunity to reflect on the 30 days spent fasting and to recommit to values of gratitude, compassion, and generosity.

He said the US has seen a rise in attacks against Muslim Americans.

“No one should ever feel afraid or unsafe in their place of worship. Many Americans have shared in the experience of Ramadan by volunteering in community service efforts to assist those in need and even fasting a few days with their fellow Muslim American co-workers.

“ In the face of hate, it’s our American values and strength that bring us together to stand in solidarity and protect one another—thereby, making our Nation stronger and safer”, he said.
Obama who was delivering his Eid message alluded to terrorists attacks in Medina and other places, noting that Muslim Americans are as diverse as America comprising black, white, Latino, Asian, and Arab.

“Eid celebrations around the country remind us of our proud history as a nation built by people of all backgrounds; our history of religious freedom and civil liberties, and our history of innovation and strength’’, he said, adding that these legacies would not be possible without the contributions of Muslim Americans that make ‘our country even stronger’.

He noted that this past month, America and the world endured challenges and senseless violence that broke ‘our hearts and tried our souls’.

“Our prayers are with the hundreds of innocent lives, many of them Muslim, taken during the month of Ramadan in places like Orlando, Istanbul, Dhaka, Baghdad, and Medina’’, he said, adding ‘’this Eid, we recommit to protecting Muslim Americans against bigotry and xenophobia, while celebrating the contributions of Muslim Americans around the country, including one of our finest, the People’s Champion Muhammad Ali, to whom we bade farewell this Ramadan’’.

He explained that he and his wife will host Eid party in the Whitehouse.
“Later this month, Michelle and I will host an Eid celebration at the White House and we look forward to welcoming Americans from around the country to celebrate the holiday’’.