President Obama hosts an Iftar Dinner for Muslim community

President Obama on Friday forcefully joined the national debate over construction of an Islamic complex near New York’s Ground Zero, telling guests at a White House dinner marking the holy month of Ramadan that opposing the project is at odds with American values.

Let me be clear, as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country, Obama said at a White House iftar dinner. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances and this is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable, he added.

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