Chicago – April 06, 2024
Muslim leaders in the US skipped a White House iftar dinner to protest the Biden administration’s support for Israel in the Gaza war. They felt it inappropriate to celebrate while Palestinians suffered.
The White House has received a snub from Muslims in the holy month of Ramzan. The White House had arranged an iftar dinner, but the Muslim community declined the invitation because of their unhappiness with the Joe Biden administration’s support for Israel in the Gaza war.
Ramzan or Ramadan is the month of fasting and feasting for Muslims. The day-long fast gets over after the Maghrib prayer with iftar food.
The White House had arranged an iftar for the Muslims, but that was turned down by members of the community over the worsening humanitarian condition of Palestinians.
“Many of the invitees, distressed over President (Joe) Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza, said they would not attend an iftar meal with the president on Tuesday evening while so many Palestinians were under siege,” The New York Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.
As a result, the White House decided to hold a smaller gathering just for its staff.
The decision to decline the White House’s invitation was because Emgage, a Muslim advocacy group, worried about Palestinians going hungry and suffering in Gaza. They want Biden to take quick action to help.
“How can we talk to you about famine and starvation over bread and steak?,” said Thaer Ahmad, a Palestinian American doctor who witnessed conditions in Gaza by himself in January, was quoted as saying by The New York Times.
Despite declining the invitation, Ahmed attended a separate hour-long meeting with community leaders and President Biden, that was also attended by Vice-President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The Muslim community’s frustration with the Biden administration’s perceived inaction against Israeli actions in Gaza has led to concerns about support in key battleground states like Michigan. Some Muslim American groups in Michigan have indicated they will not support Biden in the upcoming elections.
Ahead of the upcoming US election scheduled for November, President Joe Biden is trailing behind his main opponent Donald Trump in six of the seven battleground states.
Despite efforts by the Biden campaign to engage with Arab American voters in swing states, including Michigan, challenges remain in garnering support from these communities. NBC News noted instances where White House officials’ attempts to engage with Muslim American community leaders were met with resistance.
