White House Iftar dinner facts for kids
The White House Iftar dinner is a special yearly event held at the White House. The U.S. President and the First Lady host it. It celebrates the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This tradition began in 1996 when Hillary Clinton hosted a dinner. Today, important Muslim American community members attend. These include politicians, leaders, and students.
History of the White House Iftar
The very first White House Iftar dinner happened a long time ago. It was on December 9, 1805. President Thomas Jefferson hosted Sidi Soliman Mellimelli. He was a special guest from Tunis. Jefferson made sure the meal was served after sunset. This was to respect the Islamic traditions of Ramadan.
After this, it seems Ramadan was not celebrated at the White House for many years. However, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter sent greetings to Muslim Americans for Eid.
Yearly Celebrations
President Bill Clinton continued the Iftar dinner tradition. President George W. Bush also hosted an Iftar dinner in 2001. He then continued to host these dinners every year of his two terms. President Barack Obama hosted his first Ramadan dinner in 2009. He continued this tradition every year he was president.
In 2017, President Donald Trump did not host an Iftar dinner. This broke a tradition that had lasted for two decades. However, Trump brought the Iftar dinner back to the White House on June 6, 2018. In 2019, the dinner was held on May 13. The second Donald Trump administration also continued the tradition. An Iftar dinner was held on March 27, 2025.
In 2024, President Joe Biden held a smaller Iftar gathering. Many Muslim American community leaders chose not to attend. They had concerns about the administration's policies. They also worried about rising Islamophobia in the United States.
See also
- White House Passover Seder
- List of dining events
- Iftar party
