2009 Speeches

Iftaar Dinner Remarks

U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger

September 6, 2009

Assalaam Aleikum.   Ramadan Kareem.  I’m honored to host such a distinguished group for this Iftaar dinner.  I know I can’t compete with that great message from President Obama, but I want to extend my greetings to all Kenyan and Somali Muslims in this holy month of Ramadan.  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. 

In his ground-breaking speech in Cairo, President Obama acknowledged the tensions that have often characterized relations between Islam and the West, and he called for a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world.  He wants this new relationship to be based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and upon shared common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. These are principles we recognize tonight as a part of Ramadan.  We have copies of it available here tonight and it is also available on the Embassy website and the White House website. 

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.  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.

While I think we can all agree on such principles, the challenge is making them a reality.  For instance, the Embassy will soon be reaching out to many of you to organize an interfaith day of service, in which we will identify, jointly with local religious and community organizations, priority projects on which we can collaborate. 

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 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.  Achieving that is part of the broader effort to bring about fundamental change in Kenya through implementation of the reform agenda.  We are deeply concerned about lack of progress in implementing key reforms, and will continue to press for decisive action. 

As the Swahili saying goes:  “akufaae kwa dhiki ndie rafiki” (the one who helps you in need is the one who is your true friend).  The strong and growing partnership and friendship between the United States and Kenya 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 prosperity. We’ve seen some significant progress, particularly with the election of President Sheikh Sharif. We are working with the Kenyan government to provide strong support to him and the Transitional Federal Government.

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.