The White House is considering reducing its traditional ceremony held annually to mark the end of the month of Ramadan, after leaders of American Muslim communities warned that they would reject President Joe Biden’s invitation in objection to his handling of the war between Israel and Hamas, according to the newspaper “POLITICO“.
The US President usually hosts hundreds of Muslim leaders from all over the United States to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
The newspaper quoted three people familiar with the White House’s plans, who requested to remain anonymous, that the White House administration discussed limiting invitations this year to a small group of officials and ambassadors of Muslim-majority countries.
The newspaper indicated that this would be an admission that the president and his team are still facing ongoing frustration within the Arab-American and Muslim communities regarding Biden’s handling of the war.
A Muslim leader who attended previous Ramadan receptions hosted by Biden said: “I’m not sure how they will be able to do it this year… A lot of people will not accept the invitation.”
The man, whose name was not revealed, added that many people in Muslim communities will find it very difficult to celebrate with the president whom they consider to be fully or partially responsible for what is happening.
The Muslim and Arab American communities are witnessing a state of anger and discontent with Biden’s handling of the crisis in Gaza.
This dissatisfaction was evident in the Democratic Party primaries that took place at the end of last month, when thousands voted “non-committal” in several states, including Michigan, in an attempt to send a message to Biden.
Muslim and Arab American leaders warned Biden that if he did not change his approach to the conflict in Gaza, he risked losing the votes of voters who could play a decisive role in his re-election.
The three people familiar with the White House’s plans said that the Biden administration is still considering different options for celebrating Eid al-Fitr, and stressed that no final decision has been made.
A White House official also referred to Politico to a statement Biden issued earlier this week on the first day of Ramadan, in which he spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the “horrific renewal of hatred and violence toward Muslim Americans” at home.
The official noted that on Friday, Biden issued the first ever recognition from the White House of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Attendees at previous Ramadan receptions said it was still too early to expect official invitations to be sent, given that the White House usually holds the reception a few weeks after Ramadan.
The celebration held by the White House on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr is an annual tradition dating back to the era of former President Bill Clinton.
The tradition was briefly abandoned under former President Donald Trump, who did not host any events in his first year in office following travel restrictions he imposed on people from Muslim-majority countries.
Trump re-held the ceremony in 2018 and 2019, but most of the attendees were foreign diplomats, not American Muslims.
ظهرت في الأصل على www.alhurra.com