US President Obama greets start of Ramadan

WASHINGTON

US President Barack Obama expressed his best wishes to Muslim people across America and around the world. AP Photo

U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his best wishes to Muslim people across America and around the world, on the occasion of the starting of the holy month of Ramadan.

“With the start of the sacred month of Ramadan, Michelle [Obama] and I extend our best wishes to Muslim communities here in the United States and around the world,” Obama said in a statement posted on White House website.

“I wish Muslims across America and around the world a month blessed with the joys of family, peace and understanding. Ramadan Kareem [have a generous Ramadan],” he said.

The president also noted that this month reminds that freedom, dignity and opportunity are the undeniable rights of all mankind. “We reflect on these universal values at a time when many citizens across the Middle East and North Africa continue to strive for these basic rights and as millions of refugees mark Ramadan far from their homes,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to welcoming Muslim Americans at an iftar this year.

“I have been honored to host an iftar dinner at the White House each of the past four years, and this year I look forward to welcoming Muslim Americans who are contributing to our country as entrepreneurs, activists and artists,” he said.