Biden hails contributions of Muslim-Americans at White House Eid celebration

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden hailed the contributions of Muslim-Americans to the country Monday as he hosted his first in-person Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House.

"Muslim-Americans enriching the fabric of this nation is a testament to the Quran's teaching: 'We have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another," Biden said in the East Room, quoting the Muslim holy book.

Biden last year hosted a virtual Eid celebration due to COVID-19 concerns.

But this year, he welcomed dozens of prominent Muslim-Americans for a maskless in-person event, which he said was due "in no small part thanks to the courage and contributions" of Muslim health workers and "the brilliant Muslim scientists who helped pioneer the technology for the COVID-19 vaccine."

"Don't forget that either," he said, referring to Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Türeci, the German-Turkish couple who pioneered the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine.

"Today we celebrate the incredible stories of the indispensable contributions of Muslims all across this great nation -- Muslim-Americans, a diverse and vibrant part of the United States, making invaluable cultural and economic contributions to communities all across the nation," he added.

Those in attendance included members of the US Foreign Service, members of Congress Andre Carson and Rashida Tlaib, as well as Muslim-American thought leaders and activists.

The Eid holiday marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which most able-bodied Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex from sunrise to sunset.

For Muslims worldwide, the first day of the holiday includes feasts and celebrations among families and friends.