Bush Recognizes Muslim Innovator at Iftaar Dinner - News Analyses

Bush Recognizes Muslim Innovator at Iftaar Dinner

September 18, 2008 12:52 am

On August 29, a few days before commencement of Ramadan this year, President Bush sent greetings to Muslims in America and around the globe. The text of message was short but apt. The President specifically recognized American Muslims in the US and thanked them for their contributions.

Like every year, President Bush also hosted an Iftaar dinner this Ramadan – a tradition first started by President Clinton and continued since then in the White House. (Iftaar is the breaking of the fast by Muslims at sunset.) At the Iftaar dinner, the President mentioned achievements of Muslim civilization and acknowledged Muslims’ contribution to America in various fields:

Throughout the centuries, the Islamic world has been home to great centers of learning and culture. Muslim thinkers and scientists have advanced the frontiers of human knowledge. People of all faiths have benefited from the achievements of Muslims in fields from philosophy and poetry to mathematics and medicine.

At the beginning of a new century, Muslims in the United States are continuing this proud tradition of innovation and invention. Tonight we honor members of the Muslim community who've risen to the top of their professions. Among our guests are individuals with wide-ranging accomplishments -- from working on the Apollo Program, to pioneering advances in healthcare and medicine, to developing cutting-edge applications for the Internet.

However, this year, he recognized efforts of professor Maysam Ghovanloo in particular. Mr. Ghovanloo holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan. Among his various innovations includes development of technology to help disabled control devices using their tongue. In particular, Mr. Ghovanloo’s work centers on creating a virtual keyboard instead of the physical one that could be operated using the tongue. President Bush’s acknowledgement of his efforts comes in the following words:

This immigrant from Iran has become one of our nation's most ingenious biomedical engineers. Last month, the good professor and his team of researchers at Georgia Tech unveiled an incredible invention that could one day help people with severe disabilities operate wheelchairs and surf the Internet by simply moving their tongue. Through this pioneering research, this good professor has brought new hope to thousands. He, like others in this room, have earned the admiration of our citizens.

The President finally ended his address with the following note:

As we break the fast tonight, let us give thanks for all those who serve a cause greater than themselves. Let us give thanks for the many ways that Muslim Americans have enriched our lives. And let us give thanks that we live in a country that makes one people out of many.

I thank you for joining us tonight. I wish you all a blessed Ramadan. And now the Imam will say the blessing.

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