Raikan Ramadan

PAO Rauland welcomes guests just before the breaking of the fast.

On August 18, Public Affairs hosted a buka puasa at KL’s spectacular Islamic Arts Museum, inviting friends and colleagues to mark the Muslim holy month.  Approximately 60 Malaysian and American guests attended the dinner, enjoying a sumptuous buffet in the Museum’s restaurant.  Guests included academicians, NGO representatives, artists, religious leaders and political party representatives, as well as alumni of exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. government. 

Welcoming guests just before the breaking of the fast, Public Affairs Officer Scott Rauland quoted President Obama’s August 13 speech at a White House Iftar in which he mentioned that during the month of Ramadan we are reminded that Islam has always been a part of America.  He noted that more than 200 years ago, President Thomas Jefferson held an iftar at sunset for the Ambassador of Tunisia during Ramadan, making it the first known iftar to be held at the White House.