Skip to main content

Trump’s congenial Iftar a pleasant surprise for Muslims

WASHINGTON: At a White House Iftar dinner on Thursday evening, President Donald Trump highlighted his administration’s dedication to peace in the Middle East, reinforcing the importance of the Abraham Accords.

He pointed out the lack of progress made under the previous administration, saying, “Biden did nothing to fill them out. Nothing happened, despite the importance of the Abraham Accords. But I have a feeling it will fill out quickly—people are talking already about it. Long ago, it should have been done.”

Trump also took the opportunity to thank the Muslim community in Michigan for its support during the 2024 election and pledged to continue backing the community throughout his presidency.

“The Muslim community was there for us in November — and while I’m president, I’m going to be there for you,” he remarked. His speech marked a notable shift from earlier rhetoric, with Trump expressing affection and support for Muslims, a change from his controversial comments in 2016.

Trump praised two mayors from metro Detroit — Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib and Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi — for their contributions to his victory in Michigan. Both mayors, who endorsed Trump, were selected as ambassadors to Kuwait and Tunisia, pending Senate confirmation.

“I want to extend a very special thanks to the hundreds of thousands of Muslim Americans who supported us in record numbers in the 2024 presidential election,” Trump said, adding that his campaign efforts in Michigan, especially among Muslim voters, were instrumental in securing his victory.

During his remarks, Trump also addressed concerns within the Muslim community about social issues such as transgender ideology. “We’re stopping schools from indoctrinating children with transgender ideology, something which people of this room are not happy about,” Trump said, referencing ongoing backlash in areas like Dearborn and Hamtramck.

Trump reflected on his personal interactions with Muslims during his campaign in Michigan, recalling conversations with imams and community leaders about their desire for peace. “All we want is peace,” Trump quoted them, highlighting their shared values of peace and love for humanity.

The dinner, which was streamed live on Facebook and X, celebrated the spirit of Ramadan and emphasized unity across the Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Trump concluded by saying, “We’re all looking for peace for the entire world,” echoing his ongoing commitment to global peace initiatives.

The president also recognised the presence of Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, adding that “her leadership is instrumental in building a better future for the region.”

Saudi Arabia is expected to play a key role in Trump’s effort to revive the Abrahamic accord and arrange a new peace deal between Arabs and Israel.

He also noted Pakistan’s presence at the dinner, represented by Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.

The iftar dinner came as a pleasant surprise to many American Muslims, who had been living in fear of an anticipated travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries and the recent arrest and intended deportation of students who had participated in anti-Israeli protests last year.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2025



from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/H7zkbN4

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani skipping home run derby

Baseball’s biggest star is skipping the home run derby. Shohei Ohtani confirmed after Tuesday’s win over the Diamondbacks that he will not be participating as he continues to rehab an elbow injury that has prevented him from pitching this season. “There’s been some conversations going on,” Ohtani said, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com . “I’m in the middle of my rehab progression, so it’s not going to look like I’ll be participating.” Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani and the club reached the decision together. Ohtani signed a historic 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers after winning his second AL MVP award last season with the Angels. Despite his elbow injury, he has served as the Dodgers’ primary DH this season and been one of the most productive hitters in baseball. Ohtani entered Tuesday hitting .316/.399/.635 with a 1.034 OPS. He hit his NL-leading 27th home run in the win. Ohtani had previously participated in the Derby in 2021. Last season’s champion, Vlad...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pakistan flag installed at UNSC as country becomes non-permanent member for 8th time

The Pakistani national flag was installed in front of the United Nations Security Council chamber, as the country began its eighth term as a non-permanent member (2025-26) of the 15-member body, according to a press release issued by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations on Thursday. Pakistan on Wednesday began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Elected in June to replace Japan, Pakistan now occupies one of the two Asia-Pacific seats on the UNSC. It will preside over the council in July, a key opportunity to set the agenda and foster dialogue. View this post on Instagram This marks Pakistan’s eighth term on the council, providing an opportunity to shape discussions on pivotal international issues, but also posing significant challenges. “As part of the joining ceremony, flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members — Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panam...
Post a Comment
Read more

Medical supplies dispatched to snowbound Neelum valley

MUZAFFARABAD: Acting on the directives of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, a truck carrying essential medical equipment was dispatched on Friday to support a medical mission in the snow-affected areas of Neelum Valley. The supplies included an ultrasound machine, delivery tables, delivery kits, and gynecological emergency equipment, which were urgently required to cater to medical emergencies in the snowbound villages of Halmat and Janawai in the Gurez sub-valley of Neelum. On Thursday, a seven-member emergency medical response team—comprising four male and three female doctors—was airlifted to the upper reaches of Neelum Valley using military helicopters. This collaborative effort with the Pakistan Army was initiated following reports of insufficient healthcare facilities and rising medical emergencies in these isolated areas. Road to Taobutt cleared for the first time in January amid freezing temperatures On the night of January 18, a 21-year-o...
Post a Comment
Read more