Obama to host third Ramadan dinner

By MJ LEE 08/10/11

President Obama will host an Iftar dinner to celebrate Ramadan at the White House Wednesday evening.

Controversy had surrounded last year’s Ramadan dinner at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. – the second one hosted by Obama – when the president expressed his support for a plan to build a mosque near ground zero in New York City.

“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country,” Obama had said to applause in the room. “And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America.” the rest