Press Release
☷Remarks by President Biden at a Reception to Celebrate Eid al Fitr
White House ( By Press Release office)
May 02,2022
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East Room4:22 P . M . EDTTHE PRESIDENT: Mom , with your permission — you boys can come up on stage if you want . AUDIENCE: Awww —THE PRESIDENT: Come on . Don’t worry , he’s coming . ( Laughter . ) ( Children are brought on stage . ) Well , welcome to the White House , guys . ( Laughter . ) Welcome to the White House . And Eid Mubarak . AUDIENCE: Eid Mubarak!THE PRESIDENT: I’m honored to welcome Representatives Tlaib and Carson . I think they’re here . ( Applause . ) I see a hand going up back there . All right . And although she can’t be here today , I also enjoyed seeing Representative Omar over the weekend . And , look , welcome to the members of the diplomatic corps and to the elected representatives and community leaders all across the country , the thinkers , and activists . And it’s great to have you here in the White House , all working to make our nation and our world stronger and more inclusive . I emphasize “inclusive . ”And if you’ll excuse a point of personal privilege , I want to — is — is Madinah Wilson - Anton here STATE REPRESENTATIVE WILSON - ANTON: Yeah , I’m here . ( Laughter . ) THE PRESIDENT: Welcome . It’s good to see you . She represents the state of Delaware , by the way . ( Applause . ) And I want you to know she works at the University of Delaware , at the Biden Institute . ( Applause . ) So , we call that “using a point of personal privilege . ” ( Laughter . ) And there have not been many senators from Delaware . It’s a small state . As a matter of fact , there’s never been one . ( Laughter . ) And so , I want to take advantage of it by making sure I introduce her . Jill and I are so glad to host all of you on this joyous occasion . You know , we send our warmest greetings celebrating Eid all across the United States and , quite frankly , around the world . One of the promises I made when I ran for office is that I was to restore this annual celebration , because it’s important . It’s important . Sadly — ( applause ) —Sadly , last year , because of the pandemic , we had to hold a virtual event . This year , thanks to the progress we’ve made fighting the pandemic , we can fully honor my promise . And it’s in no small part thanks to the courage and commitment of many Muslim frontline workers and first responders — many of them . Many . And to the brilliant Muslim scientists who helped pioneer the technology for COVID - 19 vaccine — don’t forget that either . ( Applause . ) Not only helping people here but people around the world . At the same time , we know that that it’s a bittersweet day for many — too many families . You know , even as we celebrate Eid and mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan , we also , in our hearts , have those families who lost a loved one to the pandemic . And , by the way , I was telling the doc — you know , there’s a lot of similarities between all the three major religions here . But I want you to know you have a slight advantage in Ramadan . For Lent , I got to go 40 days . ( Laughter . ) Forty days with no sweets and no ice cream . ( Laughter . ) And I did it . Forty . ( Laughter . ) It’s harder , guys . You know what I mean ( Laughter . ) Anyway , throughout the past month , Muslims have fasted each day from dawn to dusk . And — while — you know , while exercising the patiences of discipline can be a solitary act , it also is something that strengthens community bonds . It helps communities stick together . Communities are — is essential — essential to the celebration of Ramadan and Eid . You know , whether breaking your fast with friends or family , or joining neighbors in acts of volunteering , or gathering for nightly communal prayers special to the month of Ramadan , this is a time to reflect not just on oneself and one’s faith but on the entire community — a whole community . You know , through their fast , Muslims demonstrate empathy for suffering of others , strengthening and renewing their resolve to give generously and to make the world a better place — better for all who suffer . And I mean that sincerely . I’ve witnessed it around the world . This year , for the first time in decades , three Abrahamic faiths all celebrate their holy days at the same time . Think about that . The same time . That’s a message , guys . ( Laughter . ) No , I really mean that . I think — I really believe it . Ramadan . Passover . Easter . And each a time of celebration for the light that has triumphed over darkness and — and for death giving way to renewal of life . You know , each of us remember the work that remains to be unfinished here on Earth — and there’s a lot of it — to which God calls all his children . You know , that we should strive to show kindness and mercy , understanding to one another . And that we should do unto others as we wish to have done — do unto us . Sound familiar Sound familiar in every language . It’s similar . Today , we celebrate the incredible stories of the indispensable contributions of Muslims all across this great nation . Muslim - Americans , a diverse and vibrant part of the United States , making invaluable cultural and economic contributions to communities all across the nation . You know what I think it’s about I think you understand the sense of empathy . How can you move without empathy to understand Teachers , counselors , mentors helping young people achieve their full potential . By the way , I don’t know which one of you guys is going to be President , but , you know — ( laughter ) — if I were you , I’d be Secretary of State . ( Laughter . ) Anyway , all kidding aside , look at these young men . They can be anything they want in this country , if we’re smart . Anything . Anything at all . And members of the military , first responders serving with such distinction , keeping us safe at home and abroad . Public servants across this country and across the administration who are leading the work to address the challenges of our time . I’ve said it from the beginning that my administration — and I meant it and I proved it — is going to look like America — look like America — ( applause ) — really — with Muslim Americans serving at every level . And it does . Muslim Americans in my administration have key roles intackling the climate crisis , rebuilding our economy , safeguarding our health , restoring our alliances , and so much more . And I’m incredibly proud to have nominated the first Muslim American ever confirmed to the federal bench . ( Applause . ) And I’ve appointed the first Muslim to serve as Ambassador - at - Large for International Religious Freedom . ( Applause . ) And it’s especially important because today , around the world , we’re seeing so many Muslims being targeted with violence . No one — no one should discriminate against oppressed — or be oppressed for their religious beliefs . Nobody . Nobody . ( Applause . ) So , today , we also remember all those who are not able to celebrate this holy day , including Muslim and Ro - — excuse me — and including Uyghurs and Rohingyas and all — all those who are facing famine , violence , conflict , and disease . And we honor — we honor the signs of hope and progress toward the world we want to see , including the ceasefire , which allowed the people in Yemen to honor Ramadan and celebrate Eid in peace for the first time in six years . ( Applause . ) But at the same time , we have to acknowledge that an awful lot of work remains to be done abroad and here at home . Muslims make our nation stronger every single day , even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society , including targeted violence and Islamophobia that exists . I mean , it’s just astounding . And — well , I won’t go into it . Anyway — ( laughter ) — I won’t get —Making our own nation more equitable , more inclusive for Muslim Americans is an essential part of the enduring workto form the more perfect union . That’s what we seek . You know , we’re the only nation in all the history of the world that’s been organized not based on a religion , race , ethnicity , geography , but on an idea . Think about that . An idea . “We hold these truths to be self - evident , that all men [and women] are created equal…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…life , liberty , the pursuit of happiness” — et cetera . We’ve never met that goal , but we’ve never walked away from it — except one brief moment , and we’re back . And we’re back and making — ( applause ) — no , I really mean it . And the resilience of Muslim Americans enriching the fabric of this nation is testament to Quran’s teaching: We have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another . The last part: so you may know one another . Our differences should not be obstacles that divide us but opportunities to learn from one another . You know , it was mentioned earlier — excuse the diversion here — but when I became Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee — I’m a — if you come to my home , in my library you’ll see a lot of contemporary theology and comparative theology . And I’m just — been interested in it my whole career . And I realized how little I knew about the details of Islam . I knew — I knew about it , but I didn’t know the difference that existed . I didn’t know what the hidden Imam — I mean , I — so I went out and I hired a full professor — a professor of Islamic studies who came to work with me . He thought he was only staying a year . Every Wednesday , he had lunch with me . And he said , “How much more do you need to know ” ( Laughter . ) But all kidding aside — I really mean it — I really mean it — it was a chance to seek out and build and celebrate a common community . So , let’s celebrate today as we move forward this year , holding this teaching in our heart . I am so proud to serve this community as your President , and I’m humbled by all the amazing accomplishments reflected in this room in front of me . And I’m grateful to have this opportunity to join together today to renew our common commitment to shared values . Thank you . And God bless you . May God bless America . And may God protect our troops . Thank you . ( Applause . ) 4:33 P . M . EDT
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