RantCrush Top 5: June 26, 2017

Yesterday was Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The holiday is celebrated by over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide every year. For almost 20 years, the State Department and White House have hosted celebratory events to recognize the holiday. But not anymore, as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declined a request to hold such a dinner this year. Donald and Melania Trump released a statement acknowledging the end of Ramadan, but it was not posted to the president’s social media accounts.

Imam Talib Shareef, of the Nation’s Mosque in Washington D.C., said that it has been a good tradition to have a dinner at the White House, as it sends out a message to the nation’s Muslims that they are valued. “You get the chance to go golfing and all this other kind of stuff. How come you don’t have time for a population of your society that needs some assistance?” he aimed at Trump.

As Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan, Muslims want to know why Trump has time for golf but not to host an iftar dinner https://t.co/jzinYMdpH1 pic.twitter.com/VeS5yEeH0C

— Newsweek (@Newsweek) June 25, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.