*EPF402 12/05/2002
Transcript: Bush Visits Islamic Center to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr
(Wishes Muslims around the world "health, happiness, and prosperity") (1050)

President Bush paid a visit to the Islamic Center in Washington to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr festivities with American Muslims. In a statement carried live on some U.S. and Arab TV channels, the president wished Muslims in the United States and around the world a joyous holiday, and paid tribute to the spiritual significance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Making his second visit to the Washington mosque December 5, the president wished the world's more than one billion Muslims "health, happiness, and prosperity in the year to come."

The ceremony at the center marked the first time a U.S. president has visited a Muslim place of worship in order to celebrate the end of Ramadan with the Muslim community.

"Islam affirms God's justice and insists upon man's moral responsibility," said Bush. "This holiday is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind."

The president's motorcade arrived at the center on a day where most of the U.S. capital was covered with a heavy snowfall that inhibited traffic across the region. Before entering the house of worship, Bush removed his shoes as a sign of respect.

Greeting the president at the podium, the center's director, Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Khouja said, "your visit today is greatly appreciated."

In his message, President Bush explained to Americans unfamiliar with the Islamic faith that the month of Ramadan commemorates God's first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad, and Muslims observe the month by fasting in order to "refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity."

"Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need," he said. "Charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns, and gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance."

He credited fellow citizens who practice Islam for "making many contributions in business, science and law, medicine, education, and other fields" in the United States.

The president also paid tribute to Muslims serving in the U.S. armed forces and government for "serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation's ideals of liberty and justice and a world at peace."

The president spoke as he stood with six Washington, D.C. imams under a solid bronze chandelier donated by the Egyptian government. Egypt also sent craftsmen to decorate the high ceilings of the mosque with ornate verses from the Qur'an. The center's carpets were donated by Iran, and its wall tiles were given by Turkey.

Before delivering his remarks, Bush met with Muslim schoolchildren at the Islamic Center, who showed the president religious artwork and told him stories and recited poems pertaining to the holiday.

The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., built in 1949, is the oldest mosque in the U.S. capital, and its congregation includes Muslim Americans who came from approximately 75 countries.

Following is the text of President Bush's 'Eid al-Fitr message:

(begin transcript)

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 5, 2002

President Commemorates Eid al-Fitr
Remarks by the President on Eid Al-Fitr
The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.

2:25 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, sir. It's good to be with you again. And it is my honor to visit the Islamic Center of Washington once again.

For half a century, this beautiful mosque has served as a place of worship for Muslims and has helped to advance understanding between people of different faiths. Millions of our fellow Americans practice the Muslim faith. They lead lives of honesty and justice and compassion.

I am pleased to join you today in the celebration of Eid, the culmination of the Holy Month of Ramadan. I appreciate so very much Dr. Khouja, and I want to thank the other distinguished imams from the Washington, D.C. area. Thank you all for being here. And I enjoyed our visit. I also appreciate the Muslim schoolchildren who are here, telling me stories and reading poems and showing the art work. Please tell them thanks again for their hospitality.

Islam traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. And Ramadan commemorates the revelation of God's word in the Holy Koran to the prophet Mohammad -- a word that is read and recited with special attention and reverence by Muslims during this season.

Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity. Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need. Charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns. And gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance. Muslims often invite members of other families to their evening iftar meals, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance.

During Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate the completion of their fast and the blessings of renewed faith that have come with it. Customs vary between countries -- from illuminating lanterns in Egypt to lighting firecrackers in Pakistan, to inviting elders to traditional feasts in Niger. Around the world, families and neighbors and friends gather to share traditional foods, and congratulate each other on meeting the test of Ramadan.

The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people worldwide. Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility. This holiday is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefitted mankind.

Here in the United States our Muslim citizens are making many contributions in business, science and law, medicine and education, and in other fields. Muslim members of our Armed Forces and of my administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation's ideals of liberty and justice in a world at peace. And in our Nation's Capital, this center contributes greatly to our spiritual and cultural life.

On behalf of Laura and our family and the American people, I bring our best wishes to all who worship here, and to Muslims throughout the world for a joyous Eid, and for health and happiness and prosperity in the year to come.

Eid Mubarak. God bless.

END 2:30 P.M. EST

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents