More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims arrive in Mecca for annual Hajj pilgrimage https://t.co/ld6kkqpkL9
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 12, 2024
If my information is correct, Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) began at sunset on Sunday.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 16, 2024
Jill and I wish American Muslims – and Muslims around the world – a very blessed Eid al-Adha.
This holiday is a time of prayer, reflection, and sacrifice, with Muslims spending time with family and friends, joining in festive meals, sharing food with those in need, and honoring the performance of the annual Hajj rituals. This year, nearly 2 million Muslims from every corner of the world are participating in Hajj, a sacred journey that brings Muslims from all walks of life together in fellowship and faith. We wish them Hajj Mabroor.
The Hajj and Eid al-Adha remind us of our equality before God and the importance of community and charity – values that speak directly to the American character. The United States is blessed to be home to millions of American Muslims who enrich our nation in countless ways, from medicine to technology, education, public service, the arts, and beyond. Many American Muslims serve in my Administration – more than in all previous Administrations combined – and I’m the first president to nominate American Muslims to the federal judiciary. I’m grateful every day for their hard work on behalf of the American people. American Muslims are our neighbors, family, friends, and fellow citizens. They make our nation stronger.
This year, Eid al-Adha comes at a difficult time for many Muslims around the world. In Gaza, innocent civilians are suffering the horrors of the war between Hamas and Israel. Too many innocent people have been killed, including thousands of children. Families have fled their homes and seen their communities destroyed. Their pain is immense. My Administration is doing everything we can to bring an end to the war, free all hostages, deliver humanitarian relief, and work toward a future two-state solution, which I continue to believe is the only way to achieve a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis. And I strongly believe that the three-phase ceasefire proposal Israel has made to Hamas and that the U.N. Security Council has endorsed is the best way to end the violence in Gaza and ultimately end the war.
We’re also working to bring a peaceful resolution to the horrific conflict in Sudan. And we continue to advocate for the rights of other Muslim communities – including the Rohingya in Burma and the Uyghurs in the People’s Republic of China – facing persecution around the world. They, like all people, deserve to live free from violence and fear.
That’s why I’m committed to addressing the scourge of Islamophobia in the United States. Hate has no place in America, whether it is targeted at American Muslims, Arab Americans including Palestinians, or anyone else. My Administration is creating a national strategy to counter Islamophobia and related forms of bias and discrimination, which affect not only Muslims, but also Arab, Sikh, and South Asian Americans. At our best, the United States is a place where everyone is treated with respect, everyone’s equal humanity is cherished, and our differences are seen as the source of strength that they are.
In the spirit of Eid al-Adha, let us all renew our commitment to values that unite us – compassion, empathy, and mutual respect – which are both American and Islamic. We look forward to welcoming home our American Muslim pilgrims who have earned the title “Al-Hajj.” To them and all Muslims across the globe, we wish you a blessed and meaningful holiday. Eid Mubarak!
Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. With temperatures of up to 48 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), pilgrims need to find ways to stay cool.
AP's Baraa Anwer explains. pic.twitter.com/zqY1oMC93Q
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 14, 2024
NotMax
Good Not much love for those old wrinkled dawns.
;)
NotMax
Hajj? Get yer free Zamzam water!
(No disresepect intended. Actually I just like saying zamzam.)
rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun)
I admire people whose dedication to their faith allows them to make pilgrimages like this. I can’t stand to be near 1.5 other people, much less 1.5 million.
One reason I self-describe as a feral Christian.
NotMax
@rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun)
Bring back the garden hermit!
rikyrah
Good Morning, Everyone😊😊😊
NotMax
@NotMax
More.
SiubhanDuinne
I have known since 1921 that proclaiming Juneteenth as a federal holiday was one of President Biden’s early official acts. But for whatever reasons, I didn’t know (or notice) until a few minutes ago* that the observation takes place on the actual day — June 19th — and not the nearest Monday.*
I’m glad about that. I appreciate three-day weekends as much as anybody, but I also like the tradition of honoring specific dates when the anniversary date itself is integral to the holiday.
*Which means, in practical terms, that today is not a holiday and the classes I’m enrolled in will be held.
rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun)
@NotMax: This is the job I was born to do!
lowtechcyclist
A blessed Eid al-Adha to those who observe!
@rikyrah:
A cheerful good morning to you, and to everyone else in this thread!
@rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun):
If I ever find myself alone with 1.5 people, I’m getting the hell out of there.
lowtechcyclist
@SiubhanDuinne:
You’re even older than I realized.
Baud
@rikyrah:
Good morning.
TBone
@NotMax: my friend Dawn got a lot of jokes tossed her way about “the crack of Dawn” after parties at her house late into the night. Olden days.
TBone
@rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun): I like that description! I tell people I’m feral but it usually isn’t understood the way I mean it (I don’t hate people, I just feel better when they’re not around). ❤️ 😆
Baud
@rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun):
@TBone:
I’m not a big fan of crowds either.
TBone
@lowtechcyclist: 😆😍
TBone
@Baud: you, my friend, are definitely feral! In the best possible way.
TBone
I absolutely adore that the Biden admin. is so inclusive. They never forget anyone. 💙
Baud
Via reddit
TBone
@Baud: I saw that recently elsewhere (detailed description and video of full interview). Clark is a badass and rightly received applause for his no nonsense approach. More like this, please, media people! George Stephanopoulos isn’t far behind in his speaking truth to power recently, which is also hopeful.
satby
@Baud: same guy who nailed Boebert in that debate. Kyle Clark does his homework before meeting these politicians.
MagdaInBlack
@Baud: *BOOM*!
satby
@Baud: FWIW, agree about collective vs individual accountability.
Baud
@satby:
Appreciate it.
TBone
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will issue a mass pardon of more than 175,000 marijuana convictions Monday morning, one of the nation’s most sweeping acts of clemency involving a drug now in widespread recreational use.
I wonder if that also means expungement will occur, which is crucial.
Baud
@TBone:
Just posted that in the morning thread.
satby
Congratulations to Dr. Tillman!
BREAKING: A Chicago teen by the name of Dorothy Jean Tillman just became youngest person to earn doctoral degree at the age of 17. – She took her first college course at age 10. – By age 14, Dorothy Jean Tillman had obtained an associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree.
prostratedragon
@NotMax: Makes me wonder what on earth the French nobility around that time were up to.
SiubhanDuinne
@lowtechcyclist:
Hah! Uncaffeinated morning brain performing its typical fuckery! (Yeah, “uncaffeinated morning brain,” that’s the ticket.)
Kay
Wish he hadn’t have included this. Anyone following this at all knows it isn’t true – they’re just going to be insulted by being told it again – they know it’s bullshit.
I have no idea why the Biden Administration is so committed to completely mischaracterizing these negotiations, but it isn’t good. They need to be more truthful. Who is this fanciful narrative for? The Israeli government? The Israeli public? The US public? I find it genuinely disconcerting and I think it really harms their credibility.
DaBunny
How are pilgrims staying cool? Some aren’t.
rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun)
@TBone: I love people (over there)!!!!!!!
Mick McDick
48 C = 118 F, not 113.
And all official temps are shade temps; add about 20 F for direct sunlight, the commoner scenario.
I am a math and temperature scold. You’re Welcome!!