# No Ramadan event at the State Department this year **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 26, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515 "2017-05-26T22:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/1 "2017-05-26T22:46:00Z")
[Tillerson breaks tradition of holding Ramadan event at State Dept.](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/335360-tillerson-rejects-request-to-hold-ramadan-event-at-state-department) > [@](#): > > Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will break a long bipartisan tradition by declining to hold a Ramadan event at the State Department this year, Reuters reported Friday. > > Tillerson reportedly turned down a request from the State Department’s Office of Religion and Global Affairs to host a reception at the State Department for Eid-al-Fitr. Secretaries of State from both parties have hosted Ramadan events at the State Department since Madeleine Albright began the tradition in 1999. I have no strong feelings on this either way but I do have a question. Should the US government be holding events for any religion whatsoever? I thought government departments were supposed to be secular organizations. Why are they organizing religious stuff? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/2 "2017-05-26T22:56:09Z")
tbh, I’d imagine the organisation will be relieved. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/3 "2017-05-26T23:16:53Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I have no strong feelings on this either way but I do have a question. Should the US government be holding events for any religion whatsoever? I thought government departments were supposed to be secular organizations. Why are they organizing religious stuff? Same reason we have a national Christmas tree and our money says “In God We Trust” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/4 "2017-05-27T01:00:51Z")
Mohammad wept. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/5 "2017-05-27T09:49:36Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > [Tillerson breaks tradition of holding Ramadan event at State Dept.](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/335360-tillerson-rejects-request-to-hold-ramadan-event-at-state-department) > > I have no strong feelings on this either way but I do have a question. Should the US government be holding events for any religion whatsoever? I thought government departments were supposed to be secular organizations. Why are they organizing religious stuff? Diplomacy. The purpose was diplomacy. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/6 "2017-05-27T10:42:39Z")
Why are people surprised? ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/7 "2017-05-27T11:16:47Z")
Well, it’s not the first time. There was at least one occasion under President Obama that it didn’t happen. But, of course, that’s not noted in the OP, because Obama. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/8 "2017-05-27T11:30:50Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I have no strong feelings on this either way but I do have a question. Should the US government be holding events for any religion whatsoever? I thought government departments were supposed to be secular organizations. Why are they organizing religious stuff? The government is not to _establish_ a religion, make it a condition of public office, or show favoritism, but it is certainly allowed to acknowledge religion and protect its free expression. My understanding is that such events are an acknowledgement/recognition of a religious event, not a religious event in and of itself. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/9 "2017-05-27T11:57:18Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Well, it’s not the first time. There was at least one occasion under President Obama that it didn’t happen. But, of course, that’s not noted in the OP, because Obama. :rolleyes: amusing the knee jerking of the rolleyes. Aldiboronti is no american and no person of the left. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/10 "2017-05-27T15:03:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Mohammad wept. On a list of things to weep about one would think [the ISIS call for the global slaughter of people in celebration of Ramadan](http://www.newsweek.com/isis-calls-all-out-war-west-ramadan-days-after-manchester-attack-616016) ranks significantly higher than lunch with Trump. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/11 "2017-05-27T15:21:01Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Well, it’s not the first time. There was at least one occasion under President Obama that it didn’t happen. But, of course, that’s not noted in the OP, because Obama. :rolleyes: And you’re not linking to it. Any reason why? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/12 "2017-05-27T15:36:04Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Well, it’s not the first time. There was at least one occasion under President Obama that it didn’t happen. But, of course, that’s not noted in the OP, because Obama. :rolleyes: [White House archives](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/06/23/president-obama-hosts-ramadan-iftar-dinner-white-house) > [@](#): > > Last night’s celebration was \*\*President Obama’s seventh Iftar dinner \*\*at the White House. This year, in addition to inviting members of the diplomatic corps, White House staff, and elected officials, there was a special focus on young leaders and women helping communities across the nation. 2015 was Obama’s 7th year in office. 7 years, 7 dinners. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/13 "2017-05-27T16:21:09Z")
Trump just visited Saudi Arabia. He’s got his “pretend to treat Muslims with dignity” quota met for the rest of his life. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/14 "2017-05-27T16:23:20Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > On a list of things to weep about one would think [the ISIS call for the global slaughter of people in celebration of Ramadan](http://www.newsweek.com/isis-calls-all-out-war-west-ramadan-days-after-manchester-attack-616016) ranks significantly higher than lunch with Trump. One may decide to counter such people, yet there is no necessity to listen to their fantasies. > [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > [White House archives](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/06/23/president-obama-hosts-ramadan-iftar-dinner-white-house) > > Last night’s celebration was President Obama’s seventh Iftar dinner at the White House. This year, in addition to inviting members of the diplomatic corps, White House staff, and elected officials, **there was a special focus on young leaders and women helping communities across the nation.** Geez, these people are tedious goodie-goodies. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/15 "2017-05-27T16:56:54Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > On a list of things to weep about one would think [the ISIS call for the global slaughter of people in celebration of Ramadan](http://www.newsweek.com/isis-calls-all-out-war-west-ramadan-days-after-manchester-attack-616016) ranks significantly higher than lunch with Trump. Mohammed whooshed. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/16 "2017-05-27T17:03:14Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [White House archives](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/06/23/president-obama-hosts-ramadan-iftar-dinner-white-house) > > 2015 was Obama’s 7th year in office. > 7 years, 7 dinners. So what happened in 2016? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/17 "2017-05-27T17:09:28Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > So what happened in 2016? The article was published in 2015. You’d know that if you had actually read it. [Washington Post.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/16/why-its-impossible-to-imagine-a-white-house-ramadan-celebration-under-president-trump/) > [@](#): > > This year’s White House Ramadan celebration will mark the 20th anniversary of a tradition first adopted by then-first lady Hillary Clinton in 1996 and continued each year by every president since, whether Republican or Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/18 "2017-05-27T17:41:13Z")
So, this _ **’celebration’** _ is just the **Iftar** ( **Ftour** )? It’s is the Breakfast. It is a meal not a religious ceremony. Perhaps the phobics can get upset about something less ridiculous than a simple little fast breaking breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/19 "2017-05-27T17:41:44Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > So what happened in 2016? In 2016 I can find multiple [reports](https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/06/258652.htm) about Secretary of State John Kerry attending an [iftar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iftar) reception at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society center in Sterling, Virginia. In addition to that I found a State Department statement that Secretary Kerry was planning to [host a reception](https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/07/259570.htm) in honor of Eid-al-Fitr on July 12, 2016 at the State Department. State Department archives [easily show reports](https://findit.state.gov/search?query=iftar&affiliate=dos_2009_2017_stategov&search=) of hosting Ramadan events in: [2009](https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/129169.htm) [2010](https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2010/09/146885.htm) [2011](https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/09/171715.htm) [2012](https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2012/08/196684.htm) [2013](https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/photos/2013/07/212542.htm) [2014](https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/06/228533.htm) [2015](https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/06/243952.htm) That seems to show the State Department hosting some sort of Ramadan event each year of the Obama administration. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515/20 "2017-05-27T17:57:58Z")
[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-ramadan-usa-tillerson-exclsu-idUSKBN18M2IE](http://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-ramadan-usa-tillerson-exclsu-idUSKBN18M2IE) > [@](#): > > The top U.S. diplomat has personally hosted a Ramadan event every year since 1999, often in the State Department’s grand Benjamin Franklin room, apart from three years. > > In 2006 and 2015, deputies of the secretary of state at the time hosted either an iftar dinner or an Eid al-Fitr reception. In 2014, Kerry hosted a reception for Eid al-Adha, another important Muslim holiday. I was referring to the fact that the Secretary of State himself would not be hosting one. The story focused on that; I did not notice that the OP was more concerned with the State Dept. as a whole. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-ramadan-event-at-the-state-department-this-year/787515.md?page=2)