Bush to host Muslim dinner

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- As the U.S.-led bombing campaign continues over the Islamic nation of Afghanistan, President Bush on Monday night sat down with Muslim diplomats for a traditional Iftar dinner in the White House State Dining Room.

"It is the traditional breaking of the fast during the month of Ramadan," said White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer during his afternoon briefing with reporters.

The president was scheduled to make remarks during the dinner that will be attended by ambassadors representing 50 Muslim nations. Fleischer said the president will talk about the importance of faith and tradition and note how important Ramadan is, as well as the importance of respect for all people.

The Iftar dinner is traditionally held at the end of each day's sunrise-to-sunset fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. White House aides said it is the first time an Iftar meal has been held at the White House. President Clinton held three eid al fitr dinners, to celebrate the traditional three-day holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said fast-breaking ceremony usually begins with dates and water, and is followed by prayer, then a full meal.

President Bush has drawn criticism from leaders in Muslim nations who wanted a pause in U.S. military strikes against Islamic Afghanistan during Ramadan. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the administration has aggressively promoted its message that the war against the Taliban regime was not an assault against Islam.