Washington: It’s the holy month of Ramzan, and iftar feasts are the order of the day.
Political leaders in India and abroad are known to throw iftar parties. Joe Biden is no exception.
But in a royal snub, the Muslim community of Washington has turned down an invitation from the US President.
The White House had organised an iftar dinner on Tuesday, but the Muslim community said ‘no’ to express their unhappiness and register protest against Biden administration’s support for Israel in the ongoing Gaza war and worsening humanitarian condition of Palestinians.
“Many of the invitees, distressed over President (Joe) Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza, said they would not attend an iftar meal with the president on Tuesday evening while so many Palestinians were under siege,” The New York Times reported.
The White House thereafter changed plans and held a smaller gathering just for its staff.
Emgage, a Muslim advocacy group, are worried about Palestinians going without food and all kinds of amenities, thus suffering big time in Gaza. The group wants Biden to take quick action to help Palestinians.
“How can we talk to you about famine and starvation over bread and steak?” Thaer Ahmad, a Palestinian-American doctor who saw first-hand conditions in Gaza in January, was quoted as saying by the New York Times.
Ahmed was among those who declined the White House iftar party invitation, but he did attend a hour-long meeting with community leaders and President Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
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