Trump Welcomes Muslims to Iftar Dinner at White House

In hosting his first iftar dinner at the White House on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said to his guests "and to Muslims around the world, Ramadan Mubarak," observing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"At tonight's dinner, we especially are pleased to welcome members of the diplomatic corps, representing our friends and partners across the globe," Trump said. "And a very warm welcome to all the ambassadors here tonight, representing Muslim-majority nations. We're greatly honored by your presence, and thank you very much for being here."

He said the gathering honored "a sacred tradition of one of the world's great religions."

Trump did not host an iftar dinner last year, breaking a tradition started by the Clinton administration and maintained through the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations.

During the 2016 campaign, Trump called for a complete ban on all Muslims entering the United States and has signed multiple executive orders restricting immigration from Muslim-majority countries.

During Ramadan, observers abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. The iftar dinner is traditionally held at sundown, breaking the fast.