President Bush at Iftaar Dinner with ambassadors and Muslim leaders in the State Dining Room. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

by Mark Silva

Lt. Commander Abuhena Saifulislam, an imam said to be only the second Muslim chaplain commissioned in the U.S. Navy, gave a blessing at last night’s Iftaar Dinner at the White House which stirred a little laughter in the State Dining Room.

He started his prayer with a preamble in which he explained that the prophet Mohammed said that whomever in the month of Ramadan invites a person to break fast with him "gets the same reward as the person who fasts."

“Mr. President, we've got you covered," Saifulislam said.

Saifulislam, a native of Bangladesh, last year received a Joint Service Commendation Medal for work at Guantanamo Bay, where, the Armed Services Press Service reports, he performed death rites for three Muslim detainees who committed suicide.

Last night, he helped the White House celebrate its seventh Iftaar Dinner – where President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush played host to ambassadors from Muslim nations and guests who had fasted during the day and turned out for dinner, all in observance of the 22nd day of Ramadan.

For Bush, these events serve as a platform for not only an ecumenical message, but also a statement about American defiance of terrorism.

Among the guests: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (table 5); Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff (table 3); Vice President Dick Cheney (table 2); wife Lynne Cheney (table 1); chief of staff Josh Bolten and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley. (President at table 8, first lady at 9).

The guests also included “American Muslim women who have made a significant contribution to our nation in key fields such as science and education, civil society, and the arts and culture,’’ according to Dana Perino, White House press secretary.

The president wore a dark suit and blue tie, the first lady black. The room was set for 90 guests -- nine at each of 10 tables, which were covered with champagne-colored embroidered tablecloths and pink roses as a centerpiece.

The menu: Squash soup with lavash, spiced rack of lamb; cucumber-tomato salad with minted yogurt dressing, and baklava with pomegranate for dessert.

And a heavy helping of the ecumenical message behind these annual dinners in observance of Ramadan – the seventh which the Bush White House has hosted:

“Tonight we celebrate traditions of Islamic faith, which brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people,’’ Bush told his guests. “For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting…

“Ramadan is also a good time for Americans of all faiths to reflect on the values we hold in common -- including love of family, gratitude to the Almighty, devotion to community, and a commitment to religious liberty,’’ he said. “ The freedom of worship is central to the American character. It's the first protection in the Bill of Rights. It holds together the fabric of American society

“Today, our world is at war with violent extremists who seek to tear the fabric of our society -- and stop the advance of freedom in Muslim societies around the world,’’ he said. “They attack holy sites, destroy mosques and minarets, and kill innocent men, women and children -- including Muslims who do not share their radical views.

"They believe that by spreading chaos and violence they can frustrate the desire of Muslims to live in freedom and peace,'' Bush said. "We say to them, you don't represent Muslims, you do not represent Islam -- and you will not succeed.’’

And with that, it was time for dinner.

With thanks to David Nitkin of the Baltimore Sun, able pool reporter on duty at the dinner.