Donald Trump sends Ramadan wishes to Muslims

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan24) – On Friday, hours before Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and prayer, began, US President Donald Trump issued a statement, wishing “all Muslims a joyful Ramadan.”

“Many Muslims in America and around the world will find meaning and inspiration in acts of charity and meditation that strengthen our communities,” the White House statement reads.

“At its core, the spirit of Ramadan strengthens awareness of our shared obligation to reject violence, to pursue peace, and to give to those in need who are suffering from poverty or conflict,” it continues.

Trump’s tone as President is markedly different from his stance, while on the campaign trail.

During his campaign, he seemed to suggest Islam—the religion itself—was responsible for terrorism, as when he said on CNN, “I think Islam hates us.”

There was always a fundamental contradiction in Trump’s position, however. The US has many Muslim allies in its war against terrorism.

Prominent among them are Kurds, whom candidate Trump hailed, describing them as “the best fighters” and “the most loyal to us,” before adding, “We should be working with them much more than we are.”

The change in Trump’s attitude as President was already clear on Sunday when he made Riyadh the primary stop in his first trip overseas and delivered an address to an Arab-Islamic summit attended by the leaders of over 50 Muslim-majority countries.

“We are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be or how to worship,” Trump told the summit. “Instead, we are here to offer partnership, based on shared interests and values.”

Distinguishing his position from that of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Trump affirmed, “We must seek partners, not perfection—and to make allies of all who share our goals,” calling his approach “Principled Realism.”

In Riyadh, Trump also called on Muslim leaders to “drive out the terrorists and extremists.”

“Drive. Them. Out,” he said. “Drive them out of this earth.”

Trump cited the “significant contributions” many of America’s Muslim allies were already making in the struggle against terrorism, including in Mosul.

“American troops are supporting Kurds, Sunnis, and Shias fighting together for their homeland,” he noted.

Trump also suggested the biggest share of the burden in fighting Islamic extremism fell on Muslims themselves.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also issued a statement Friday, in which he wished “Muslims around the world a peaceful and blessed Ramadan.”

However, Tillerson has, so far, declined to hold an event for Ramadan, whether an iftar dinner to break the day’s fast, or an Eid al-Fitr reception on the holiday that marks the end of the month.

Bill Clinton’s Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, began that tradition in 1999, and it has largely been followed in the years since.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany