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Salaamu Alaykum.
Thank you for joining us on the occasion of this Iftar.
Like you, millions of American Muslims—and more than a billion of your sister and brother Muslims around the world—now observe the holy month of Ramadan. Please permit me to say that it is a privilege for people of all faiths to show our respect for your reverence.
As President Bush noted in his Ramadan greeting, "The Qur'an teaches that Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, worship, and contemplation.” No lesson could be greater, especially in difficult times, than this call to reflect upon one’s faith, acknowledging the limits of human understanding and seeking guidance that transcends the vicissitudes of daily events.
Indeed, the practice of breaking each day’s fast during Ramadan by coming together with others for the Iftar reminds us that divine inspiration expresses itself through family, fellowship, community, compassion and tolerance.
These are the noblest dimensions of life on earth, where each of us has the opportunity to rise above personal concerns and serve the greater good.
I am mindful that all of you make contributions to the greater good every day whether you do so through journalism, cultural enterprise, business, governmental service, or other forms of civic activism.
In turn, we Americans, a nation of diversity like Iraq, a nation that has known and struggled to correct injustice, are pledged to assist you in your endeavors while respecting the sovereignty and integrity of your decisions and achievements.
In less than three months, with the help of the United Nations and the coalition partners, Iraqis will hold a national election. We have no doubt that this election will take place, and we hope that all eligible Iraqis cast their ballots. Iraq’s future is in their hands.
To reiterate President Bush’s statement last week: the United States supports free, open, fair and inclusive elections, and not any one candidate or party. This is our policy because this is democracy. No other political system offers more promise for healing deep wounds, extending the rule of law, rebuilding Iraq’s economy, and defeating insurgency and terrorism than democracy. But anyone who has looked at the many different forms of democracy around the world knows that each democratic state is somewhat different and somewhat unique. This is to be expected and respected, in Iraq and everywhere else.
We are grateful for the courage you show in following this path. Our goal is to support you, knowing that your success will make Iraq, the region, and the world safer, more stable, and more prosperous.
Peace, secured by a courageous commitment to democracy and the rule of law, is surely worth our deepest reflection.
Ramadan Kareem.
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