Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=147-11132003
On November 13, 2003 Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a press release stating that "Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) last night hosted a Ramadan iftar, or fast breaking, on Capitol Hill attended by more than 130 elected officials, congressional staffers, American Muslim leaders, and ambassadors from Islamic-majority nations. The iftar, held in the House Judiciary Committee Hearing Room, was co-sponsored by Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). It featured the breaking of the fast, the Islamic sunset prayer (maghrib), an ecumenical prayer, and remarks by Rep. Conyers. In his remarks, Rep. Conyers said: 'By partaking in this religious tradition, we hope to promote the toleration, understanding, and acceptance of all religions and religious cultures and to celebrate religious diversity, one of the many great principles that our country was founded upon.'"