Trump has broken the annual tradition upheld by the past three administrations

The White House did not host an Iftar dinner to commemorate Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, for the first time in nearly two decades.

United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania released a statement on Saturday wishing "warm greetings" to those celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

"Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity. Now, as they commemorate Eid with family and friends, they carry on the tradition of helping neighbours and breaking bread with people from all walks of life," the statement read.

With this, Trump has broken the annual tradition upheld by the past three administrations that began under President Bill Clinton and was continued by George W Bush and Barack Obama.

The Iftar dinners were typically attended by prominent members of the Muslim community as well as members of the Congress and diplomats from Muslim countries.

In the White House, Trump has attempted to ban travel to the US from several Muslim-majority countries.

During his first trip abroad, Trump, however, urged the leaders of 55 Muslim-majority countries calling for unity in the fight against terrorism, in his address.

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Trump breaks nearly 20-year tradition of celebrating Ramadan at White House

For nearly the last 20 years, U.S. presidents dating back to former President Bill Clinton have hosted a dinner at the White House to celebrate the end of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month dedicated to fasting and charity.

But that tradition ended Saturday when President Donald Trump chose not to host the “Eid al-Fitr” dinner, which in Arabic means “feast of breaking of the fast.”

Instead, Trump, who spent the weekend at the White House with first lady Melania, simply released a statement on Saturday offering Muslims their “warm greetings.”

“On behalf of the American people, Melania and I send our warm greetings to Muslims as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr,” the statement read. “Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity.”

“During this holiday, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion, and goodwill,” Trump’s statement added. “With Muslims around the world, the United States renews our commitment to honor these values.”

Trump signed the letter “Eid Mubarak,” which literally means “blessed celebration” in Arabic. Muslims celebrating Ramadan greet one another with the phrase only during the holy month.

The past three presidential administrations hosted Eid al-Fitr dinners. Clinton started the tradition in the latter years of his second term, while former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama continued to host the celebration dinners each year during their presidencies. Bush even hosted the dinner the year after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to show solidarity with the Muslim community.

The dinners are typically attended by the president and his family, members of Congress, state dignitaries and prominent members of the Muslim community.

Notably, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last month also declined to host a Ramadan dinner, which also broke with recent tradition. Prior to Tillerson, both Republican and Democratic secretaries of state hosted either an iftar meal — which is consumed by Muslims during Ramadan after sunset — or the Eid al-Fitr meal, according to Reuters.

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