Biden Issues Ramadan Message

President Joe Biden issued a statement celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this week, stating that he sympathized with the “immense pain” of Muslims amid the ongoing war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas. The president’s message comes as support among Muslim and Arab Americans has fallen significantly in recent months, following the Hamas terrorist attack last Oct. 7.

“Tonight—as the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan—Jill and I extend our best wishes and prayers to Muslims across our country and around the world,” wrote the president.

Has Biden White House ever used Ramadan greetings to complain about conflicts where Muslims are being killed -eg Afghansitan, Syria, Sudan – or is it just part of the holiday spirit when Jews are defending themselves from genocide? pic.twitter.com/pf5O7Tfzvk

— Eugene Kontorovich (@EVKontorovich) March 11, 2024

“The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people,” Biden said.

The Biden administration had sought a ceasefire agreement ahead of the Ramadan holiday. The ceasefire terms were accepted by Israel, but rejected by Hamas. Israel seeks the release of hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks.

The president has seen a significant decline in support from Arab and Muslim Americans in recent months. States with significant populations of Muslims could be swayed should some of the demographic either stay home or vote for another candidate, including former President Donald Trump.

In particular, the decline in support could affect states such as Minnesota and Michigan. In addition, Biden’s declining approval among Black Americans could also cause him to lose Michigan, which Biden carried narrowly in 2020 and Trump won in 2016.

The Biden 2024 campaign has increased outreach to the Muslim community amid concerns about falling support. Many Muslim and Arab Americans perceive Biden as being too supportive of Israel during the current conflict.

Some Muslim leaders announced their support for voting ‘uncommitted’ in the Democratic presidential primary instead of for Biden.

Biden also recently announced a plan to build a temporary port in Gaza to distribute humanitarian aid using the U.S. military. The United States has been involved in an effort to airdrop supplies to Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing war.