(5 Oct 2007) SHOTLIST
1. Wide shot of guests standing, zoom in as US President George W Bush walks to podium and starts talking
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, US President:
"Thank you all for coming. Please be seated. Ramadan Mubarak. Laura and I are pleased to have you here for our seventh iftar dinner. Tonight we celebrate traditions of Islamic faith, which brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people. For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting. It is a time for charity and service to those less fortunate. It's a time to celebrate Islam's learned and vibrant culture, which has enriched civilisation for centuries. Ramadan is also a good time for Americans of all faiths to reflect on the values we hold in common, including love of family, gratitude to the Almighty, devotion to community, and a commitment to religious liberty."
3. People sitting at tables
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, US President:
"The freedom of worship is central to the American character. It's the first protection in the Bill of Rights. It holds together the fabric of American society, supporting every individual's right to practice his or her beliefs without fear. Today, our world is at war with violent extremists who seek to tear the fabric of our society, and stop the advance of freedom in Muslim societies around the world. They attack holy sites, destroy mosques and minarets, and kill innocent men, women and children, including Muslims who do not share their radical views. They believe that by spreading chaos and violence they can frustrate the desire of Muslims to live in freedom and peace. We say to them, you don't represent Muslims, you do not represent Islam, and you will not succeed."
5. People sitting at tables
STORYLINE:
The United States has a proud history of standing with Muslims and "mainstream citizens across the broader Middle East," President Bush said on Thursday during a dinner to mark the end of the daily fast during Ramadan.
Speaking to about 90 attendees during the White House's annual iftar dinner marking the occasion, Bush said the United States has has stood with Muslims across the world facing hardship.
"For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting. It is a time for charity and service to those less fortunate. It's a time to celebrate Islam's learned and vibrant culture, which has enriched civilisation for centuries," Bush said.
"Ramadan is also a good time for Americans of all faiths to reflect on the values we hold in common, including love of family, gratitude to the Almighty, devotion to community, and a commitment to religious liberty," he added.
He said violent extremists did not represent Islam.
"They believe that by spreading chaos and violence they can frustrate the desire of Muslims to live in freedom and peace. We say to them, you don't represent Muslims, you do not represent Islam, and you will not succeed," Bush told the attendees.
Muslim leaders and ambassadors, as well as first lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Vice President Dick Cheney and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff attended the dinner.
This is the seventh year Bush has hosted an itfar dinner, this year inviting American Muslim women who have made contributions in fields such as science, education, civil society and the arts and culture, according to the White House.
The guests dined in the White House's State Dining Room.
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