Powerline: Reuters reports that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has declined a request to host an event to mark Ramadan. Reuters cites two U.S. officials.
The State Department has been hosting such dinners for two decades. The practice began in 1998 under Madeleine Albright.
Tillerson issued a statement on Friday to mark the start of Ramadan. He called it “a month of reverence, generosity, and self-reflection.” “Most importantly,” he added, “it is a cherished time for family and friends to gather and give charity to those who are less fortunate.”
One might think that this statement pays sufficient tribute to the holiday. However, former U.S. diplomat Farah Pandith, who helped plan Ramadan events at the White House and State Department under past administrations, complained that if Tillerson declines to host a Ramadan shindig, it might send a message “that it is not as important to this administration to engage with Muslims.”
I suppose going to Saudi Arabia and engaging with 50 leaders from muslim countries doesn’t count.
Obvious self-interested statement coming from the guy who makes his living in D.C. planning Ramadan events for the gov’t.
Why doesn’t the ACLU sue to stop this “Religion of State” ceremony.
Oh yeah, right – Muslims.
Good article, too.
“…it is not as important to this administration to engage with Muslims.”
Depends on what you mean by “engagement”, Farah.
And to hell with anything started by Madeleine “Pins” Albright…
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/madeleine-albright-on-her-life-in-pins-149191/
Apparently there is a shortage of goats for the “ram-it-in” portion of the proceedings.
I guess that maybe they forgot to have a LENT observance.
What do they do at a Ramadan event?……..try to find a virgin sheep for dinner? Lotsa luck…..
“The practice began in 1998 under Madeleine Albright.”
Say no more.
That’s no “tradition;” that’s SUBMISSION.
END IT.
Former U.S. diplomat Farah Pandith… it might send a message “that it is not as important to this administration to engage with Muslims.”
To the contrary, the Trump admin believes it’s equally important to engage with the Muslim community, it’s just a different message.
The hell with Ramadan a ding dong.
GREAT! This one man has more brains and balls than the entire Obama administration.
President Trump met with 50 muslim leaders and delivered a message. Messages are not sent by event planning/planners.
Madeleine Albright was, is, and ever shall be…a shit head.
But, but, if we don’t do it who will?
The enablers will, Germany, Canada, England, France, Sweden and more EU one-world puppets.
I’ve started a GoFundMe campaign for a State Dept. Ramadan dinner. I am raising $$ for pig ribs.
#PorkFatRules
Tillerson made the correct decision. This administration is calling a spade a spade regardless of who or what it is. This will tell the Muslim governments that this administration will no longer prostrate themselves before Islamic governments but respect the traditions that don’t entail car bombs, suicide vests, cowardly attacking civilians and indiscriminately butchering women and children. If the Islamists are smart they’ll take this subtle warning and pick up their game in fighting radical Islam with fewer words (currently one set meant for the West while a different message is meant for the followers) and more real action.
I think they should throw a big shindig at noon Monday.
Ribs, bob-a-coo, low country boil, Yuengling beer, Sha na na playing the hit song Rama Lama Ding Dong and Ray Stevens with the ever popular Ahab the Arab.
C’mon guys, assimilate, don’t assassinate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3hv4GnZQmw
I ate a hella lot of kalbi ribs this weekend, the bbq
pork belly was also good.
“…Farah Pandith, who helped plan Ramadan events at the White House and State Department under past administrations, complained that if Tillerson declines to host a Ramadan shindig, it might send a message “that it is not as important to this administration to engage with Muslims.””
I cetainly hope that is what it means.