On Wednesday the Pentagon hosted its 13th annual Iftar dinner to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. According to the
American Armed Forces Press Service, among the 120 guests were Defense Department officials; military officers from Iraq, Bangladesh, Jordan, Pakistan, Turkey and Bahrain; ambassadors from South Africa and Bahrain; and the two Muslim members of Congress. In his remarks (
full text) to the dinner, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said in part:
We’re grateful to be able to host this Iftar Dinner at the Pentagon and share in one of the great traditions of the Muslim faith.
We’re also able to affirm one of the fundamental principles of our country – our ability to freely practice our chosen faith and to be able to worship our God wherever we are.
[Thanks to God and Country blog for the lead.]
