Condoleezza Rice hosts Iftar for Muslim diplomats

Washington, Sept 10 : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosted an Iftar party in the honour of diplomats, writers and artists from Muslim countries here on Monday night.

Members of the diplomatic community, including Pakistan's ambassador Husain Haqqani, Washington-based Pakistani journalists, members of the US Congress, representatives of American civil society, religious and academic communities attended the reception at the State Department, reported The News.

Speaking on the occasion, Rice said that people of all faiths appreciate Ramazan's spirit.

"More than one billion people find comfort and hope in Islam, and Ramazan inspires them to renew their faith through sacrifice and prayer, reflection and charity. People of all faiths can appreciate Ramazan's spirit, one of love for family, devotion to community, and gratitude toward God," The News quoted her as saying.

She added across America Muslim families were coming together each night of Ramazan to celebrate their devotion to Islam. The many faiths and traditions to which Americans belong enrich the nation and reflect what is best about America.

"For hundreds of years, people of all faiths and people of no faith at all have come to the US to live by these principles, and we have welcomed them. We welcome them still. Every individual who embraces the rights and responsibilities of citizenship makes America more American," she added.

ANI