President Biden, first lady mark Eid al-Fitr with White House reception


President Joe Biden hosted a reception celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the White House on Monday in which praised the accomplishments of Muslim Americans. 

Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo

May 2 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden celebrated Eid al-Fitr at a White House reception Monday with calls for religious tolerance and praise for the contributions of Muslim Americans.

The Bidens, Vice President Kamala Harris and other dignitaries honored the three-day Muslim holiday marking the end of fasting for Ramadan with a well-attended event at the East Room after last year's celebration was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muslims typically practice month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting during Ramadan.

Muslim countries across the world have already started celebrating the three-day-long Eid al-Fitr.

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In his remarks, Biden honored the national and civic accomplishments of Muslims in the United States, despite facing challenges from racial and religious bigotry.

"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. ... It's just astounding," he said.

The Roman Catholic president noted "there's a lot of similarities between all the three major religions" before jokingly adding, "You have a slight advantage for Ramadan. For Lent, I've got to go forty days with no sweets and no ice cream -- [but] I did it."

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Biden declared the United States is the only country in the world founded not on a religious or racial grouping, but rather on "an idea" embodied in the preamble to Declaration of Independence, that "all men are created equal."

"We've never met that goal, but we've never walked away from it -- except one brief moment. And we're back," he said.

Jill Biden called Eid is a "joyous" celebration that brings families and communities together.

"It is the wholeness that comes when we give ourselves to others, the lightness we feel when we lay down our burdens at last," she said.

Also speaking at the reception were Talib Shareef, imam of The Nations Mosque in Washington, D.C., and Pakistani vocalist and composer Arooj Aftab.

Some public school districts across the nation will be closed Monday or Tuesday in observance of the Islamic holiday.

"Eid marks the completion of a holy month dedicated to devotion and reflection, when families and communities come together to celebrate their blessings," Biden said in a prepared statement issued ahead of the reception.

"And Eid is also an occasion for Muslims to remember all those who are struggling or impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, and disease, and to recommit to building a better future for all."