Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: For the first time, Prime Minister Netanyahu is signaling that he wants to end the war on Gaza
Israeli Channel 12, citing an American source: We want to have entered a path toward captive release and a ceasefire before Netanyahu arrives in Washington
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One martyr and two injured in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a motorcycle in the town of Mahrouna
Al Mayadeen correspondent to Southern Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle between the towns of Jwayya and Mahrouna.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyred in the Israeli drone strike on a car in the town of Kawnin
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone targets a car in the town of Kawnin
Naeini: If our national interests are attacked again, our response this time will be stronger and more destructive
Naeini: The war has proven that the settlers are defenseless against Iranian missile and drone forces
Naeini: Trump lacks an understanding of the true strength of the Iranian people and is so deluded as to believe he can change the reality of Iran's victory
Naeini: The defeat led to Trump's confusion and loss of balance, which was reflected in his ill-considered statements

Biden's iftar downsized amid Arab-Muslim anger over Gaza

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 3 Apr 2024 09:34
  • 7 Shares
3 Min Read

Following clear anger and withdrawal from Biden's iftar event by the Arab and Muslim communities in the US, Biden turned his iftar into a meeting to discuss Gaza.

  • x
  • President Joe Biden speaks at an event in Raleigh, N.C., on March. 26, 2024.(AP)
    President Joe Biden speaks at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 26, 2024. (AP)

As US President Joe Biden attempted to host an iftar dinner for Ramadan in the White House on April 2, several Muslim and Arab leaders' invitees withdrew from the event. 

One of the attendees, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, who has recently returned to the US from Gaza, told Biden that he cannot attend this event while people in Gaza are being killed, as reported by media. 

Media sources also revealed that Dr. Ahmad handed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the US Vice-President, a message from a displaced Palestinian child, still in Rafah, orphaned due to the IOF killing his parents. 

They added that many of the invitees did not feel comfortable celebrating such an event with Biden while Palestinians were grappling with war and famine. 

This withdrawal, a sign of "clear anger", prevented Biden from achieving his goal of a "small and calm" iftar after many prominent figures from the Arab and Muslim communities in the US rejected his invitation in protest. 

Iftar invitation turned into meeting 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on April 2 that Biden will not organize a public reception for Ramadan this year, unlike what he did in 2022 and 2023.

Instead, she said, "President Biden will host a meeting with Muslim community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the community."

Related News

Trump: Netanyahu trial threatens Gaza ceasefire, regional diplomacy

G7 exempts US multinationals from global minimum tax rules

She added that this was based on a request from the Muslim community, which the White House understands. 

Before iftar time, Biden invited many attendees to an extended meeting at the White House to further discuss the Israeli war on Gaza, claiming that he will do "everything in his power to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza."

The White House affirmed to the attendees that its position is clear and it rejects the Israeli Rafah invasion plan that does not take into consideration the situation of the displaced Palestinians.

Leading figures of prominent Islamic non-governmental organizations in the United States also protested against the Ramadan iftar dinner organized by Biden by organizing an alternative iftar for a ceasefire in Gaza in front of the White House headquarters in Washington.

Democrat says Arab community opposes Biden policy with 'Israel' 

US President Joe Biden has made a “strategic mistake” by “bear-hugging” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the current war on Gaza, Biden campaign surrogate Ro Khanna said on March 14. 

"The bear-hugging of Netanyahu has been a strategic mistake," Khanna added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he criticized the Israeli President for conducting "a callous war" in Gaza, despite his claims of opposition from the United States.

However, his criticisms of Biden's errors might not be well-received at the White House.

Khanna suggested that Biden should establish "clear consequences for Netanyahu" if "Israel" does not alter its course.

"And that means if [Netanyahu] defies the United States, not allowing aid, or going into Rafah” – which Biden has emphasized that such an outcome must be avoided, while Netanyahu has indicated that it will occur – “[then] no more weapons transfers … unconditionally."

"It means not protecting [Netanyahu] from the entire international community at the United Nations, it means recognizing a Palestinian state. And those are the things I think some of the Arab American community want," he explicitly said.

  • United States
  • war on Gaza
  • Palestine
  • Ramadan
  • Iftar
  • Israeli occupation
  • Gaza
  • Joe Biden
  • white house
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
In this June, 12, 2021, file photo, former Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani sits in a meeting in Tehran, Iran.
Politics

Iran strategically foiled Israeli-US scheme, Advisor Shamkhani says

Sheikh Naim
MENA

Let no one think they can subjugate Hezbollah: Sheikh Qassem

Screengrab from a video published by the al-Qassam Brigades shows confrontations with the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)
Politics

Al-Qassam releases video of deadly ambush with Israeli forces in Gaza

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, attends an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran bars IAEA chief Grossi from nuclear facility inspections

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS