Secretary Of State : On the Occasion of Eid al-Adha
PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
On behalf of the United States, I extend warm wishes for a blessed Eid al-Adha to Muslims celebrating here and across the world. For the millions of Muslims who performed the Hajj pilgrimage, we also wish the returning pilgrims a Hajj Mabroor.
We know Eid arrives this year at a time when many Muslims are experiencing deep pain. Our thoughts are with those facing repression or the effects of conflict, as well as those experiencing the global surge in hate-fueled violence and other forms of Islamophobia.
For many who celebrate, Eid al-Adha is a commemoration of faith, sacrifice, and hope restored for a better future. Today, we recognize the leadership of Muslim Americans and the contributions of so many Muslim communities across the globe to building a better world, and we recommit to work for a more peaceful future in which all can enjoy freedom and prosperity. Eid Mubarak.
JUNE 16, 2024 Washington DC
When the US State Department first began congratulating Muslims on Eid al-Adha
The tradition of the White House celebrating Eid al-Adha and hosting a reception or dinner for it began in 1996 under President Bill Clinton’s administration. [3]
In February 1996, First Lady Hillary Clinton hosted around 150 people for a reception to mark Eid al-Fitr, which commemorates the end of Ramadan. This was described as a “historic and overdue occasion” and set a precedent for Muslim religious celebrations at the White House. [3] The tradition continued under President George W. Bush, who hosted an iftar dinner every year of his presidency to mark Ramadan, including shortly after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. [3]
While the search results do not explicitly state when the State Department first began congratulating Muslims specifically on Eid al-Adha, it seems this likely began around the same time as the White House celebrations in the late 1990s under Clinton. [3] The tradition was maintained by subsequent administrations until 2017, when President Trump did not host an Eid celebration, breaking the nearly two-decade precedent. [3] However, the Biden administration has resumed the practice, with President Biden issuing statements and hosting a reception for both Eid al-Fitr in 2023 [4] and Eid al-Adha in 2023. [1]
Citations:
[1] https://eg.usembassy.gov/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-occasion-of-eid-al-adha/
[2] https://ge.usembassy.gov/eid-traditions-in-the-united-states/
[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/06/17/thomas-jeffersons-iftar-dinner-and-the-history-of-ramadan-at-the-white-house/
[4] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/05/01/remarks-by-president-biden-at-a-reception-to-celebrate-eid-al-fitr-2/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha
Sources: https://www.state.gov/on-the-occasion-of-eid-al-adha-3/ – Midtown Tribune news