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Secretary of State Clinton Hosts State Department Iftar

By Howard M. Friedman

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton last night hosted the State Department's annual Iftar (Ramadan break fast). In her remarks (full text), she said in part:

Ramadan teaches and reinforces values that are honored by millions and tens and hundreds of millions of people from other faiths and beliefs. So tonight, while we celebrate together, let us consider how we can build broader and deeper bonds of mutual understanding, mutual respect and cooperation among people of all faiths in the year to come...

We sit down together for this meal on a day when the news is carrying reports that a pastor down in Gainesville, Florida plans to burn the Holy Qu?ran on September 11th. I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths, from evangelical Christians to Jewish rabbis, as well as secular U.S. leaders and opinion-makers. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. Many of you know that in 1790, George Washington wrote to a synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, that this country will give ?to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.?

Among those attending the Iftar were 70 young American Muslim leaders. The Hill reported last week on the State Department's plans for yesterday's event.  

Full post as published by Religion Clause on September 08, 2010 (boomark / email).