Secretary Tillerson Ends Ramadan Tradition Within State Department

Secretary Tillerson Ends Ramadan Tradition Within State Department

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discontinues 17-year tradition with the State Department.

According to officials, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has declined a request from the Office of Religion and Global Affairs to host an annual event celebrating Ramadan. The Muslim holy month, which began on Saturday, May 27, is observed by millions of followers around the world. Traditionally, the State Department holds a reception to recognize the religious holiday.

The State Department has hosted the affair in previous years to symbolize the U.S. Government’s diplomatic outreach toward Muslims countries and citizens. Community leaders, diplomats, and members of Congress formerly attended the annual event designed to recognize the Islamic observance.

However, under the new administration, a number of prominent Muslim-American groups have not received their expected invitations this year. According to officials, they won’t.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s refusal comes on the heels of a statement made on Friday, in which he called the observance, “a month of reverence, generosity, and self-reflection.” He further stated, “Most importantly, it is a cherished time for family and friends to gather and give charity to those who are less fortunate.” These type of remarks are typically made at the state sponsored event.

Tillerson refused to maintain the status quo and rejected the office memo.

In 1999, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright initiated the State Department’s tradition of marking the Muslim holiday with a public celebration. Since then, each administration has followed the practice with some type of annual recognition and gathering, typically held in the department’s stately Benjamin Franklin room.

In 2014, John Kerry held a reception to honor Eid al-Adha, a holy celebration known as the “Sacrifice Feast.” Other than a few similar deviations, the practice has been standard protocol until now.

The memo delivered to Tillerson’s office requested he speak at an Eid al-Fitr reception, to be held in July. The event, designed to “highlight State Department initiatives and the importance of Muslim engagement,” is generally recognized by America’s top diplomat in some fashion.

Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast” or the “lesser feast” is the only day when Muslims are prohibited to fast. The observance includes special prayers, the Salat al-Eid, on the first morning after Ramadan. Although it is not recognized as a national holiday, New York does include it as a holiday for public schools.

Eid al-Fitr is the “festival of breaking the fast” and is observed on the morning after Ramadan is finished.

Rather than hosting an iftar—the feast held at sunset each night of Ramadan—the memo also proposed that by conducting the event immediately after Ramadan, it could take place at any time, preventing “a very late evening for the Secretary.”

Government officials participating in state-sponsored religious observances is not new. Both the State Department and the White House traditionally host other religious events, including recognition for Easter and Christmas. While Tillerson is breaking with the status quo concerning this holiday, officials have not yet stated whether the White House will follow suit and also dismiss the Ramadan tradition.

Tillerson, who rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with the biker group Rolling Thunder on Memorial Day, has rejected the April 6 office memo recommending he follow the previous practices to host the reception. No official statement has been made. Tillerson’s response has not been seen.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson participating in Memorial Day celebrations riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle with the biker group Rolling Thunder.

President Trump’s administration has been accused of having an unfavorable outlook of Islam by activists. Despite the facts of Trump’s travel ban—which even long-term Democrat Alan Dershowitz said should have been upheld in the courts—the current administration has been misrepresented by the leftist media in order to convey the impression of hostility toward certain groups.

Tillerson’s refusal to keep the status quo concerning the Muslin holiday is drawing fire. Former U.S. diplomat and first-ever special representative to Muslim Communities, Farah Pandith, opines that if Tillerson does break with tradition and scuttles the reception, it may send a message that “that it is not important to this administration to engage with Muslims.”

Considering the recent events in Manchester, which Muslim leaders have refused to condemn, Tillerson’s action doesn’t seem excessive. In fact, it demonstrates unequivocally how this administration’s approach to Islam is radically different that the previous ones. American’s voted for a change, and that’s exactly what’s happening. By distancing itself from a religion that denies women’s rights and opposes strong penalties for harming children, the State Department under this administration is taking a new path.

Although Tillerson is outspoken concerning radical Islamic terrorism and logically warns that Iran is becoming an increasing threat, by ending the Ramadan tradition in the State Department, he’ll likely face a backlash of criticism.

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