U.S. media reports say President Donald Trump yesterday night hosted an Iftar dinner at the White House describing Ramadan as a "very special time for Muslims around the world."
Prominent members of the Muslim community, diplomats and members of Congress reportedly attended the dinner, which began at 8:30 p.m., shortly after sunset, in the State Dining Room.
The president, who spoke for five minutes, said he was “delighted” to share the occasion with “so many esteemed dignitaries and friends — I have so many friends in this room — and cherished partners from around the world,” according to United Press International (UPI) news agency.
"Ramadan is a time of charity, of giving, and service to our fellow citizens," Trump said. “Ramadan is a very special time. It's a time to draw closer as families, neighbors, and communities. And Ramadan is a time when people join forces in pursuit of hope, tolerance and peace.”
Last year, Trump hosted his first Iftar dinner as president.
Iftar (break fast), is the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer. This is their second meal of the day; the daily fast during Ramadan begins immediately after the pre-dawn meal of Suhur and continues during the daylight hours, ending with sunset with the evening meal of Iftar.
