Biden Calls for US-Backed Ceasefire in Eid Al-Adha Message

Tuesday 18 June 2024 - 08:10

The Biden administration has once again reaffirmed its commitment to combating the rise in Islamophobic incidents across the United States, as expressed in President Joe Biden's Eid Al-Adha message this year.

In a statement released by the White House on Sunday evening, President Biden extended his greetings to Muslims celebrating Eid Al-Adha, while also addressing the pressing issues faced by Muslim communities worldwide. He acknowledged that this year's festivities come amidst significant challenges for many Muslims.

"Across Gaza, innocent civilians are enduring the horrors of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel," Biden remarked, highlighting the tragic loss of civilian lives, including children, and the forced displacement of Palestinians.

The President emphasized his administration's dedication to ending the conflict, voicing strong support for the three-phase ceasefire proposal put forward by Israel and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Biden asserted that this proposal represents the most viable path to halting the violence in Gaza and ultimately resolving the war.

Beyond the situation in Gaza, Biden also addressed his administration's efforts to find solutions for the crisis in Sudan and to advocate for the rights of Muslim communities within the United States.

"That’s why I’m committed to addressing the scourge of Islamophobia in the United States," he declared, underscoring that hate and discrimination have no place in the country.

This commitment comes in the wake of the latest annual report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), released in April, which documented a troubling rise in Islamophobic incidents in the US. The report linked this increase to the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine in October 2023.

CAIR, a leading advocacy organization for Muslim civil rights in the US, reported receiving 8,061 complaints of Islamophobic incidents last year, the highest number in its 30-year history. The surge in complaints underscores the pressing need for robust measures to combat hate and discrimination.

In concluding his message, President Biden wished Muslims a blessed and meaningful Eid Al-Adha, reiterating his administration's unwavering support for peace and justice.