Muslim Leaders Decline Biden’s Iftar Dinner Invitation Over Gaza Policies
Amidst President Joe Biden’s iftar dinner to celebrate Ramadan, some Muslim leaders declined the invitation due to their opposition to his policies regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
White House Hosts Scaled-Down Iftar Dinner
The White House hosted a scaled-down iftar dinner on Tuesday to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event took place after certain Muslim community members rejected President Biden’s invitation, citing disagreements with his stance on the Israel-Gaza war.
President Biden engaged in discussions with Muslim leaders and later shared a small dinner with senior Muslim officials from his administration. Accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with her husband, Biden aimed to address key community issues during the gathering.
“President Biden convened a meeting with Muslim community leaders to address matters of significance to the community,” stated White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She emphasized that the format was adjusted to accommodate the leaders’ preference for a meeting over a dinner.
Muslim Leaders Express Criticism Amid Gaza Conflict
Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency room doctor who had recently been in Gaza for three weeks, attended the event. Ahmad mentioned that he left the meeting early out of respect for his community and those affected by the conflict.
During an interview with CNN, Ahmad, the sole Palestinian-American in attendance, noted the lack of substantial response from President Biden. He expressed his need to walk away from the meeting, stating, “He actually said he understood, and I walked away.”
Comparing this event to the previous year’s Ramadan reception, where attendees cheered Biden, the current gathering reflected a different tone. Members of Congress, such as Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, who were present at the previous event, have become vocal critics of Biden’s Gaza policies.
Emgage Action, a Muslim American advocacy group, opted out of the dinner, citing Biden’s unwavering military support for Israel as a reason. They highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a consequence of this support.
