Remarks by the President in Honor of Eid Al-Fitr

President Bush welcomed 20 Muslim children to the White House in Washington December 17 to celebrate Eid al-fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

"This year, Eid is celebrated at the same time as Hanukkah and Advent. So it's a good time for people of these great faiths, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, to remember how much we have in common: devotion to family, a commitment to care for those in need, a belief in God and His justice, and the hope for peace on earth," Bush told his guests. The children, between eight and ten years old, are from the Washington, D.C. area.

He told them he was proud that the United States and the children of the America are helping the people of Afghanistan at the time of Eid.

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome. It's good to see everybody. Thank you all for coming. We want to thank you for coming to the White House to celebrate Eid. It's so nice of you to be here. It reminds us how much we all have in common, how similar boys and girls are, no matter what their religion may be. So thanks for being here today. We're really thrilled you're here.

Eid is a time of joy, after a season of fasting and prayer and reflection. Each year, the end of Ramadan means celebration and thanksgiving for millions of Americans. And your joy during this season enriches the life of our great country. This year, Eid is celebrated at the same time as Hanukkah and Advent. So it's a good time for people of these great faiths, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, to remember how much we have in common: devotion to family, a commitment to care for those in need, a belief in God and His justice, and the hope for peace on earth.

We also share a custom I know all of you are excited about, and that's giving gifts to children. And after this is over, I have a little gift for you, from the White House. This season is meant to be a time of rejoicing, as well as a time of generosity. I'm proud that our country, during Eid, is helping the people of Afghanistan. And I'm proud that the children of America, through America's Fund for Afghan Children, are giving food and clothes and toys to the children of Afghanistan.

The people of Afghanistan have suffered so much, and we're committed to helping them in their time of hardship and in their time of need. These are challenging days for our nation, but holidays like this one remind us about how much we have to be thankful for, and that God delights in joy and generosity of men and women and children. People of every faith are welcome here in the people's house. People of every background are welcome to come here to the White House.

I want to thank you all for coming, and I'd like to go read, if you don't mind, read from a book to you. Is that okay? How about that. Let's go do that, and then we'll go back over here. We've got a special gift for you.