Bush celebrates Eid with Muslims

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush made a rare peace gesture Thursday by visiting the Islamic center in Washington to celebrate the Eid al Fitr festival with local Muslims amid increasing tensions between the Islamic and Western worlds.

Eid marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Bush first visited the center and the adjacent mosque soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to assure the Muslims that the U.S.-led war against terrorism was not directed against them.

"Millions of our fellow Americans practice the Muslim faith. They lead lives of honesty, justice and compassion," the president said, while reading his Eid message before a select gathering.

Several thousand Muslims gathered at the center earlier Thursday to say Eid prayers, braving snowstorm and freezing cold.

The mosque, however, was emptied for Bush for security reasons and the president had to read his message before a select group of imams, or prayer leaders, from other mosques in the greater Washington area.

"The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people worldwide. Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility," said Bush. "This holiday is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind."

Part of Bush's Eid message was directed to Muslims and the other part was aimed at educating Americans about Islam and Islamic practices.

"Islam traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. And Ramadan commemorates the revelation of God's word in the holy Koran to the prophet Mohammad -- a word that is read and recited with special attention and reverence by Muslims during this season," said Bush.

He then explained how in Ramadan, Muslims take "no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity."

The president also spoke on another controversial issue, the Muslim practice of giving charity, telling the Americans that not all charity the Muslim give goes to terrorists.

In Ramadan, Muslims worldwide stretch out a hand of mercy to those in need, said the president. "Charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns. And gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance."

Muslims often invite members of other families to their evening iftar meals, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance, he added.

Last week, it was reported that charity money from Princess Haifa al Faisal, wife of the Saudi ambassador to Washington and daughter of the late King Faisal, may have indirectly benefited two of the 19 terrorists who last year crashed hijacked airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people.

Saudi authorities denied the princess knowingly sent funds to Khalif al Mihdhar and Nawaf al Hazmi. She had, however, sent money to a Saudi woman on her charity list who endorsed at least one check to the wife of a man who gave the two cash to rent an apartment prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, which were blamed on al Qaida.

U.S. officials and anti-terrorism experts have long believed Saudi charities have been a major source of financing for al Qaida and other terrorist groups.

Under U.S. pressure, the Saudi government Tuesday announced a number of legal and regulatory measures to control charity funds.

Bush then spoke about the Eid festival, saying that on Eid Muslims celebrate the completion of their fast and the blessings of renewed faith that have come with it.

"Customs vary between countries -- from illuminating lanterns in Egypt to lighting firecrackers in Pakistan, to inviting elders to traditional feasts in Niger," the president said.

"Around the world, families and neighbors and friends gather to share traditional foods, and congratulate each other on meeting the test of Ramadan."

He said that in the United States, Muslim citizens were making many contributions in business, science, law, medicine, education and other fields.

"Muslim members of our Armed Forces and of my administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation's ideals of liberty and justice in a world at peace."

"On behalf of Laura and our family and the American people, I bring our best wishes to all who worship here, and to Muslims throughout the world for a joyous Eid, and for health and happiness and prosperity in the year to come," the president said, ending his message with the traditional Islamic greeting of "Eid Mubarak."

"The president today made it clear that he does not agree with those who equate Islam with terrorism. It's a message that will promote peace and harmony between Muslims and other Americans," said Yusuf Saleem, the imam of Washington's other major mosque, Masjid Muhammad.

"His message and his visit to the mosque will be appreciated not only by the American Muslims but by the Muslims around the world," said Abdullah Khouj, director of the Islamic Center.

For half a century, the Islamic Center has served as a place of worship for Muslims of greater Washington area. Its 160-foot-high minaret and the mosaic inscriptions in Arabic of verses from the holy Koran attract non-Muslim visitors as well. The center also houses a library of works about Islam and holds changing exhibitions.

During his previous visit to the center on Sept. 17, Bush declared that the terrorist attacks against the United States are "acts of violence against innocents (that) violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith, and it's important for my fellow Americans to understand that."

"The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam," Bush said. "That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war."

Bush also called for tolerance towards Arab Americans.

Earlier Thursday, Bush also met Muslim schoolchildren who told stories and recited poems for him. Some of them also showed him their artwork.

"I am overwhelmed. It's so nice of him to have come. I am very, very happy," said 7-year-old Aksa who had come from Virginia to meet the president.