Secretary of State Declines to Host Annual Event Commemorating Muslim Holiday

Over the past two decades, it has been a tradition of the White House and the State Department to host an event commemorating Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, in which those that practice the religion partake in strict fasting from sunrise to sunset. This year, Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, has declined to host an event in commemoration of the holiday, according to two administration officials familiar with the decision. These officials claim Tillerson rejected the State Department’s Office of Religion and Global Affairs request to host the event. The reception generally marks the Eid al-Fitr, which is the end of the holy month.

Prior to Tillerson, all 5 of his Democratic and Republican predecessors- since 1999- have either hosted an Iftar dinner to break the fast or a reception at the end of the month-long holiday. Diplomatic posts overseas have even held events during the religious month.

The White House and the State Department have held events in commemoration of several traditional religious holidays, which have included Christmas, Easter, and Jewish Passover Seder. However, the Ramadan event, which was previously attended by members of Congress, diplomats from Muslim countries, Muslim leaders, as well as U.S. officials, has become a symbol of our efforts to better understand and engage with the Muslim world.

A State Department spokesman has claimed, however, that, “We are still exploring possible options for the observance of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan.” The spokesperson also encourages US ambassadors to celebrate Ramadan with events that are held annually around the world.

It has not been made clear whether or not this decision was in relation to Tillerson’s ongoing streamlining of the agency. This has included the loss of nearly 2,000 jobs, as well as massive budget cuts. Generally, an event like this one is usually planned weeks or even months in advance. While no final decisions have been made at this time, offices that deal with religious outreach programs are expected to be part of the sectors that are removed due to the mass restructuring.

This past Friday, Tillerson called Ramadan, “a cherished time for family and friends to gather and give charity to those who are less fortunate”. He also states that the religious month, “reminds us all of the common values of harmony and empathy we hold dear.”

His statement was contrary to the one released by President Trump, in which he wished Muslims a joyful Ramadan while addressing the terrorist attack in Manchester on Monday. He called the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert, “directly contrary to the spirit” of the religious holiday.

The Obama administration did not ever mention terrorism in its annual statements addressing the Muslim Holiday. In regards to the terrorist attack in Manchester, which largely targeted children at the concert, Trump says that, “such acts only seal our resolve to defeat the terrorists and their perverted ideology”.

Trump’s decision to address terrorism in relation to a religious holiday has not gained him any points with Muslim groups or advocates. The current President has been widely regarded as anti-Islam, making this a point of rhetoric in his campaign, calling for additional surveillance at religious mosques, and attempting to ban citizens of Muslim-majority countries from traveling to the U.S.

Trump attempted to improve his anti-Islam image in Saudi Arabia this past week, by making it clear, during a meeting between over 50 Muslim leaders, that the U.S. does not stand against Islam. He has tried to draw a distinction between the religion as a whole and its violent extremist sectors. During this meeting, Trump referred to the battle against terrorism as one “between good and evil”.

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