In a statement released Monday by the White House, President Barack Obama praised Muslims for having built “the very fabric of our nation,” ignoring the fact that the United States was firmly founded on Judeo-Christian values.
The statement was made to mark the end of the month-long fasting of Ramadan, a day called Eid-al-Fitr, according to the Office of the White House press secretary.
Here’s the president’s full statement:
As Muslims throughout the United States and around the world celebrate Eid-al-Fitr, Michelle and I extend our warmest wishes to them and their families. This last month has been a time of fasting, reflection, spiritual renewal, and service to the less fortunate. While Eid marks the completion of Ramadan, it also celebrates the common values that unite us in our humanity and reinforces the obligations that people of all faiths have to each other, especially those impacted by poverty, conflict, and disease.
In the United States, Eid also reminds us of the many achievements and contributions of Muslim Americans to building the very fabric of our nation and strengthening the core of our democracy. That is why we stand with people of all faiths, here at home and around the world, to protect and advance their rights to prosper, and we welcome their commitment to giving back to their communities.
On behalf of the Administration, we wish Muslims in the United States and around the world a blessed and joyous celebration. Eid Mubarak.
The statement was accompanied by this tweet:
"We wish Muslims in the United States and around the world a blessed and joyous celebration." —Obama on #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/Xo8lsT2jXr
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 28, 2014
Despite the fact that the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause prohibits the government from favoring one religion over another, the last five-plus years have seen this administration doing precisely that — in favor of Islam.
Most recently, a southwest Missouri National Guard unit was prohibited from being honored by a local Baptist youth group out of fear of being seen as favoring one religion over another. Yet there have been numerous instances where the the military didn’t apply those same sandards to Muslim organizations.
