President Joe Biden is taking steps to engage with the Muslim American community by hosting a small group of community leaders at the White House for a meeting followed by a scaled-down iftar dinner. This move comes as Biden seeks to address tensions over his administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The meeting will also include Vice President Kamala Harris, Muslim staffers in the Democratic administration, and senior national security aides, making it the most high-profile engagement between the White House and the Muslim American community since the war began six months ago. The dinner will allow the president and Muslim staffers to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
While Biden has previously held large receptions to mark Ramadan and Eid at the White House, those plans were shelved this year due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with the majority believed to be civilians, since the conflict began. Additionally, over 1,200 Israelis were killed in an attack by Hamas last year, with about 250 Israeli troops also losing their lives in subsequent fighting. The White House did not immediately reveal the names of the community members who will be attending the meeting, but their presence highlights the administration’s efforts to engage with and support the Muslim American community.
Earlier this year, White House officials faced a cool reception from Muslim American community leaders in Detroit, where over 100,000 Democratic primary voters cast protest votes for “uncommitted” to show their disapproval of Biden’s approach to the conflict. This meeting with Biden and other administration officials signals a further attempt to address concerns within the Muslim American community about the administration’s stance on the war in Gaza. The decision to hold a smaller iftar dinner and meet directly with community leaders is seen as a more focused and intimate approach to engage with the Muslim American community and address their concerns.
The news of Biden’s meeting with Muslim American community leaders was first reported by National Public Radio, indicating that the administration is actively seeking to publicize their efforts to engage with this community. By hosting this meeting and dinner, Biden is aiming to show support for the Muslim American community during Ramadan while also addressing tensions and concerns over the administration’s stance on the conflict in Gaza. The involvement of Muslim staffers in the administration and senior national security aides further underscores the importance of engaging with the community on key issues affecting them both domestically and internationally.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold and tensions remain high, Biden’s outreach to the Muslim American community is a significant step in building relationships and addressing concerns within this diverse group of Americans. By hosting a meeting and iftar dinner at the White House, Biden is demonstrating a commitment to engaging with and supporting the Muslim American community during a challenging time. This engagement with community leaders, Muslim staffers, and national security aides underscores the administration’s efforts to listen, learn, and work together with the Muslim American community to address issues of mutual importance and build stronger relationships moving forward.
