President Barack Obama issued a statement on the occasion of Ramadan, noting the ‘Arab spring’ that is helping countries “courageously achieve democracy.”

This year, Ramadan holds special meaning for those citizens in the Middle East and North Africa who are courageously achieving democracy and self-determination and for those who are still struggling to achieve their universal rights. The United States continues to stand with those who seek the chance to decide their own destiny, to live free from fear and violence, and to practice their faith freely.

Some have taken issue with his statement that “Islam is part of the fabric of our Nation…” though, broadly speaking, virtually everything in the US is part of its fabric, and there are certainly Muslim citizens of the United States.  The statement also indicated the President will host an iftar again this year.