Source: The Washington Post

On December 24, 1999, The Washington Post reported that the State Department hosted American Muslim leaders for iftar, the ritual evening meal held during Ramadan that signals the end of each day-long fast, for the first time ever. Madeleine Albright spoke to the group assembled for the meal: "There are a billion and a half Muslims in the world...They are of many nationalities and live in virtually every corner of every continent. How can anyone apply a stereotype to a quarter of the globe's people?" CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said in a written statement: "We appreciate the opportunity to meet with State Department officials in a social setting...This...can only serve to facilitate future political discussions on issues of importance to the American Muslim community."