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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is sending his best wishes to Muslims in the U.S. and around the world on the start of the holy month of Ramadan (RAH'-mah-dahn).
Obama says in a statement that the U.S. is grateful for Muslim-American organizations, individuals and businesses that work to reduce the income gap and poverty through charitable efforts and programs that provide education, skills and health care to students, workers and families.
The Muslim holy month starts this weekend and is marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset.
It ends with the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr (ayd ahl-FIH'-tur).
Obama says he's looking forward to opening the White House to Muslim Americans for a traditional iftar dinner. It's the meal that breaks the daytime fast.
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