Ambassador Louis B. Susman's Remarks for Eid al-Fitr

14 September 2010

Ambassador Susman speaking to guests at Winfield House during a celebration marking Eid al-Fitr. (U.S. Embassy photo)

On behalf of the United States of America, Marjorie and I would like to welcome you all to Winfield House. It’s an honor to celebrate the end of Ramadan with you, including those who joined us for Iftar last year.

But since we last met, the world has suffered its share of those who would sow divisions among us.

I speak of the continued threat of extremism everywhere. I also refer to the objections some had over the proposed mosque in New York City; and also the media-whipped frenzy over an irrelevant pastor who threatened, but then reversed his decision, to burn the Qu’ran.

While the media saw fit to highlight these events, the President, the Secretary of State, religious leaders of all faiths, and an overwhelming majority of Americans chose to ignore the negative hysteria.

They listened instead to the voices of our founding fathers that vowed, more than 200 years ago, to protect freedom of religion for all people. And they spoke out, loud and clear.

The president has constantly reminded us that we are all children of God. That we all draw strength and purpose from our beliefs. And that Islam and the Muslim community have always been a part of the American experience, including September 11, 2001, when many Muslims also lost their lives to the terrorists.

Despite Al Qaeda’s attempts to create divisions, our commitment to the Muslim community is stronger than ever. The reason is simple: our communities are not two but one. As the President said last week: “We don’t differentiate between ‘them and us.’ It’s just ‘us.’”

Secretary Clinton spoke out strongly against the abhorrent act of burning any religious book, including the Koran. She stated that the United States will give no sanction to bigotry and no assistance to persecution. This was the same message that our first president, George Washington, gave in a 1790 letter.  
Last Saturday marked the ninth anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001. To observe it, Marjorie and I went to Grosvenor Square to lay a wreath at the British Memorial Garden. It was moving to visit this memorial, constructed of wood to symbolize the temporary nature of our time on earth.

It was even more moving to note that the memorial not only honors 67 British subjects who died in the attacks but people of all faiths who lost their lives.

So, as we celebrate the close of such an important event on the Muslim calendar, I am prompted to reflect on the commonalities that connect Islam to all religions.

Whether we pray to Allah, God or Jehovah, we seek many of the same goals. Spiritual fulfillment. Re-appreciation of the blessings we have. And the desire to find higher guidance, so we can realize the best in ourselves.

I’d like to close on a personal note. When I arrived in London as the new U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s more than 13 months ago, it was during Ramadan. My first public occasion was last year’s Iftar, when I joined distinguished leaders of Muslim communities here at Winfield House.

One of my biggest priorities was to reach out to the Muslim community in the United Kingdom.  Over the past 13 months, I have undertaken a dozen outreach meetings in many corners of the UK, including London, Manchester and Wales. While I have found no easy answers, I am determined to continue to hear from as many voices, and as many groups, here in the UK, as I can.

I can’t tell you how honored Marjorie and I are to be here with you tonight. Let us re-dedicate ourselves to closer communication, deeper understanding and mutual respect. We are all in this together, and as I continue to seek ways to further my dialogues with you, I invite you back here to  share your ideas with me.

We welcome you. We wish you and your families all the best for tonight, and the following year. And may God’s peace be upon you.

See also: A Celebration Marking Eid al-Fitr