Courtesy Photo | Imam Yahya Hendi receives a certificate of appreciation during the 16th Annual...... read more read more
By Damien Salas
Pentagram staff writer
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon held its 16th Annual Iftar dinner July 1, in celebration of Ramadan and in recognition of the 4,500 Muslim Americans in uniform and the additional 1,000 civilians and contractors who work for the Department of Defense.
Attending the event were senior defense leaders, White House and congressional staffers, foreign dignitaries, defense attachés, imams, Gold Star families, and Muslims who work in the defense community.
The Iftar meal, following sundown, is when Muslims break their fast for the day during Ramadan. In 1999, the Pentagon Chaplain's office first hosted such a dinner to show solidarity with and support for the Islamic community. They have been doing so each year since.
“In addition to recognizing and honoring the Muslim faith, tonight is also an opportunity to celebrate the importance of diversity and equality within the Department of Defense, and the values that make our Department strong – integrity, courage, dedication and respect,” said Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work.
Deputy Secretary Work gave honorable mention to Gold Star Mother, Elsheba Khan, whose son Cpl. Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, U.S. Army, was killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq Aug. 6, 2007.
“Ms. Khan, I extend my profound thanks for you joining us tonight, and I honor the tremendous sacrifice your beloved son—and you—have given to our country,” said Work.
Georgetown University chaplain Imam Yahya Hendi delivered a speech on the importance of love and acceptance amongst different religions within the military community as the evening’s guest speaker.
“It is important for our community to support itself,” said Hendi, “but it is also important for all faiths to accept and support one another.”
Hendi was one of the Muslim leaders who met with President Bill Clinton during his presidency. He also met with President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks and continued to meet him many times during his presidency.
“Our nation and our entire military family are made stronger because of the service and sacrifice of people of all faiths, including the thousands of patriotic Muslim Americans who have served and still serve during this long period of war,” said Work. “They continue a long and noble tradition of generations of Muslim Americans who have defended this country.”
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2014 10:11 |
| Story ID: | 135715 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 311 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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