Washington: At an Iphtar dinner from the White House on Thursday night, President Donald Trump highlighted the dedication of his administration to La Paz in the Middle East, reinforcing the importance of Abraham’s agreements.
He pointed out the lack of progress made under the previous administration, saying: “Biden did nothing to fill them. Nothing happened, despite the importance of Abraham’s agreements. But I have the feeling that it will be filled quickly, people are already talking about it. A long time ago, it should have been done.”
Trump also took the opportunity to thank the Muslim community in Michigan for his support during the 2024 elections and promised to continue supporting the community throughout his presidency.
“The Muslim community was there for us in November, and while I am president, I will be there for you,” he said. His speech marked a notable change of previous rhetoric, with Trump expressing affection and support to Muslims, a change of his controversial comments in 2016.
Trump praised two Metro Detroit mayors, Hamtramck mayor, Amer Ghalib and the mayor of Dearborn Heights, Bill Bazzi, for his contributions to his victory in Michigan. Both mayors, who supported Trump, were selected as Kuwait and Tunisia ambassadors, waiting for the Senate confirmation.
“I want to extend a very special thanks to the hundreds of thousands of American Muslims who supported us in record numbers in the presidential elections of 2024,” Trump said, and added that his campaign efforts in Michigan, especially among Muslim voters, were instrumental to ensure his victory.
During his comments, Trump also addressed concerns within the Muslim community about social issues such as transgender ideology. “We are preventing schools to indoctrine children with transgender ideology, something for which people in this room are not happy,” Trump said, referring to a continuous reaction in areas such as Dearborn and Hamtramck.
Trump reflected on his personal interactions with Muslims during his campaign in Michigan, remembering conversations with magnets and community leaders about their desire for peace. “All we want is peace,” Trump quoted them, highlighting his shared values of peace and love for humanity.
The dinner, which was broadcast live on Facebook and X, celebrated the spirit of Ramadan and emphasized unity in Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Trump concluded by saying: “We are all looking for peace for everyone”, echoing their continuous commitment to global peace initiatives.
The president also recognized the presence of the Saudi Arabia ambassador to the United States, Princess Bint Bandar al Saud, added that “her leadership is essential to build a better future for the region.”
Saudi Arabia is expected to play a key role in Trump’s effort to relive the Abrahamic Agreement and organize a new peace agreement between the Arabs and Israel.
He also pointed out the presence of Pakistan at Cena, represented by Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.
Iphtar’s dinner was a pleasant surprise for many American Muslims, who had been living in fear of an anticipated travel ban from several Muslim majority countries and the recent arrest and the planned deportation of students who had participated in antiisraelis protests last year.
Posted in Dawn, March 29, 2025
