Bush to hold Ramadan meal

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- President George Bush has invited foreign ambassadors to "an iftaar dinner" to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

Invitations have gone out from the White House to Washington-based envoys from Islamic states and from European countries with large Muslim populations, including Britain, France, Germany and Spain, a diplomatic source said.

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar is for Muslims a period of all-day fasting, prayers and good works.Iftaar is Arabic for breaking the fast.

Similar dinners were held during the previous administration, but the event on Oct 24 this year had been expanded to include European ambassadors.