President Barack Obama wished Muslims well on Saturday for the feast of Eid Al-Fitr marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In the United States, Saturday was considered the 30th and final day of the dawn-to-dusk month of fasting this year, and Sunday will mark the start of the feast.

“Michelle and I extend our warmest wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world as they celebrate Eid Al-Fitr,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

“For Muslims, Ramadan has been a time of fasting, prayer and spiritual renewal. These past four weeks have also been a time to serve the less fortunate — a reminder of the obligations that people of all faiths have to each other.”

Wishing Muslims across the United States and around the world “Eid mubarak” (happy holiday), Obama said the celebrations in America speak to “the truth that communities of faith — including Muslim Americans — enrich our national life, strengthen our democracy and uphold our freedoms, including the freedom of religion.”

“That is why we stand with people of all faiths, in the United States and around the world, in protecting and advancing this universal human right,” he added.

Transcript: On behalf of the American people including Muslim communities in all fifty states I want to
extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.

Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad, beginning with a simple word iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect
upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings
have to one another, and to God.

Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and
families, I know this to be a festive time a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and
meals are shared. But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection a
time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and
listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month.

These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islams role in advancing
justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.

For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths including my own Christian faith as a
way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for
granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance
opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we
want to build and the changes that we want to make must begin in our own hearts, and our
own communities.

This summer, people across America have served in their communities educating children,
caring for the sick, and extending a hand to those who have fallen on hard times. Faith-based
organizations, including many Islamic organizations, have been at the forefront in participating
in this summer of service. And in these challenging times, this is a spirit of responsibility that we
must sustain in the months and years to come. ..

Transcript: On behalf of the American people including Muslim communities in all fifty states I want to
extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.

Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad, beginning with a simple word iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect
upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings
have to one another, and to God.

Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and
families, I know this to be a festive time a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and
meals are shared. But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection a
time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and
listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month.

These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islams role in advancing
justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.

For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths including my own Christian faith as a
way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for
granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance
opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we
want to build and the changes that we want to make must begin in our own hearts, and our
own communities.

This summer, people across America have served in their communities educating children,
caring for the sick, and extending a hand to those who have fallen on hard times. Faith-based
organizations, including many Islamic organizations, have been at the forefront in participating
in this summer of service. And in these challenging times, this is a spirit of responsibility that we
must sustain in the months and years to come. …