President Trump on Tuesday wished Muslims observing Ramadan a “blessed month,” and praised the holiday as a reminder of “the richness Muslims add to the religious tapestry of American life.”
“In the United States, we are all blessed to live under a Constitution that fosters religious liberty and respects religious practice. Our Constitution ensures Muslims can observe Ramadan in accordance with the dictates of conscience and unimpeded by government,” Trump said in a statement.
Ramadan is a holy month that commemorates when the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It will commence when the new crescent moon is spotted, which will be either Tuesday or Wednesday.
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The president noted that the values the holiday reflects can lead those observing it to “strengthen our communities, help those in need, and serve as good examples for how to live a holy life.”
Whereas last year’s statement on Ramadan referenced recent terrorist attacks in Europe and the Middle East, this year’s remarks focused solely on the holiday itself.
Trump declined to host an iftar dinner last year to commemorate the end of Ramadan, breaking with nearly two decades of tradition in the process. It is not known yet whether the president will hold the dinner this year.
The president has faced criticism for his comments about Islam and Muslims since he entered the 2016 presidential campaign.
While on the campaign trail, Trump called for a ban on Muslims entering the country to combat terrorist attacks, and told CNN that “Islam hates us.”
His administration has since issued multiple versions of a travel ban that restricts citizens of multiple Middle East countries from entering the U.S. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling soon on the legality of the ban.