WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has praised the contributions of American Muslims at a dinner to celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
     
Obama joined Cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and the two Muslim members of Congress to pay tribute to what he called "a great religion and its commitment to justice and progress."
     
The president said Islam is "part of America," and is much like other religions in that "they all contain truths."
     
He said, "Among those truths are the pursuit of peace and the dignity of all human beings."
     
Ramadan, a monthlong period of prayer, reflection and daylight fasts, began Aug. 22 in most of the Islamic world.
 

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AP-NY-09-02-09 0351EDT