2008 Speeches
U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger Iftaar Dinner Remarks Ambassador’s Residence (Photo Gallery)
September 14, 2007
Assalaam Aleikum. Ramadan Kareem. I’m honored to host such a distinguished group of ladies and gentlemen for this Iftaar dinner.
I extend my greetings to all Kenyan and Somali Muslims in this holy month of Ramadan. As Secretary Rice said last week when she hosted an Iftaar at the State Department in Washington, these dinners afford us an opportunity “to gain a deeper understanding of this holy month. More than one billion people find comfort and hope in Islam, and Ramadan inspires them to renew their faith through sacrifice and prayer, reflection and charity. People of all faiths can appreciate Ramadan’s spirit, one of love for family, devotion to community, and gratitude toward God.”
As we mark this occasion, it is appropriate to recall that Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an and thus inspires faithful Muslims to lead lives of honesty, integrity, and compassion. Islam is a religion of rich traditions that traces its origins back to God’s call to Abraham. Ramadan is a month set aside for reflection and renewal, deepened by the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and of sharing with those in need. It’s worth remembering that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and following the events of September 11 as well, Muslims extended some of the most generous offers of support that Americans received. While Muslims reflect and remember their dependence on God, they also rededicate themselves to cooperation, to compassion, and to community. Ramadan is also a social season of open arms, in which no neighbor is turned away. These are sentiments, aspirations, and commitments that people of all faiths can share.
Permit me, with all due humility, to quote from an attempt to capture in English the meaning of the Surat Ibrahim of the Qur’an, because I believe it illustrates the spirit of Ramadan. It tells us how all people, regardless of their differences, should treat each other.
Do you not see how God has set forth a parable?
A goodly Word is like a goodly tree,
Whose roots are firmly fixed,
And its braches (reach) to the heavens.
It brings forth its fruit at all times
By the leave of its Lord.
Thus God sets forth parables for people
So that they may remember.
Americans of all faiths share your belief in God’s justice, and insistence on man’s moral responsibility. Indeed, our respect for Islam is based on shared values. As President Bush has stated: “Islam is a religion that brings hope and comfort. It has made brothers and sisters of every race. It has given birth to a rich culture of learning and literature and science.”
As I have carried out a dialogue with the Kenyan people, I have discussed how respecting diversity, strengthening democracy, and bolstering development are inter-related. I discussed how we in the United States continue to struggle to live up to our democratic ideals in order to ensure that all ethnic, racial, regional, and religious groups are fully accommodated in our democratic system. While much remains to be accomplished, we are making progress. The diversity in the United States today is evident in the fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States.
I am looking forward to deepening a frank and open dialogue with all of you. Though I am convinced that this will be mutually beneficial, I also recognize that it will not always be easy. I can only assure you that this dialogue will be based on tolerance, courtesy, and respect for democratic principles. One of our founding fathers, who was our first President, George Washington said that America gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance. In order to be faithful to these principles, as enshrined in our constitution, Americans must respect the rule of law. In furthering respect for the rule of law and the pursuit of justice, all democracies will make missteps along the way, and we in the United States have made our share. One of the strengths of our system, however, is that such missteps are brought to light and efforts made to correct them.
The partnership between the United States and Kenya is based on shared democratic values, including respect for the rule of law and for diversity. I will continue to be outspoken in emphasizing that the Muslim community must be fully integrated into the political and economic life of Kenya. Years of neglect, discrimination, and marginalization with respect to some of the communities of Kenya in part helped to fuel the post-election violence. However, Kenyans eventually came together as one people to work out a political solution. The United States is providing strong support to the coalition government to help it deliver results for all the people of Kenya both to carry out fundamental institutional reforms and to expand development. I am convinced that Kenya is moving in the right direction to consolidate democracy and to bring about a brighter future for all Kenyans.
As the Swahili saying goes: “akufaae knw dhiki ndie rafiki” (the one who helps you in need is the one who is your true friend). There is a strong and growing partnership and friendship between the United States and Kenya, which extends to the Muslim population. This includes, among many other activities: scholarships for disadvantaged Muslim students; English language training for madrasa teachers; support for Muslim vocational training schools; support for the Lamu Cultural Festival; donations of books and computers to Muslim organizations; speaker programs featuring a number of American-Muslim scholars; exchange programs; U.S. military projects to rehabilitate schools and clinics and to dig wells in Muslim communities; support for Muslim non-governmental organizations; helping Kenya to combat child trafficking on the coast; and helping to strengthen coastal security, in part to stem increased drug trafficking.
Before I close, I want to underscore the commitment of the United States to assist the Somali people to achieve peace and to accomplish the democratic transition envisioned in the Transitional Federal Government Charter. We’ve seen some significant progress in the past year, most recently with the June 9 Djibouti Agreement. Now is an opportune moment to reflect on the importance of implementing that agreement and expanding national reconciliation in a way that will benefit all the Somali people. I’m delighted to have our Special Envoy John Yates here, who will say a few words.
America is a land of many faiths, and our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens. May the holy month of Ramadhan bring peace, happiness and remind us of the values that bind us together.
Ahsanteni Na Mungu Awabariki! Saum Makbol. Waad Mahadsantihiin.