Obama’s Iftar, dinner menu

WASHINGTON: President Obama will host his fourth annual Iftar dinner in the State Dining Room Friday night to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramazan.

During Ramazan, faithful Muslims fast from sunup to sundown and often break their fast with a communal Iftar dinner in the evening.

The tradition of hosting an Iftar dinner at the White House began under President Clinton and has been continued by both President Bush and President Obama.

According to the White House, the invited guests for the evening “include elected officials, religious and grassroots leaders in the Muslim American community, and leaders of diverse faiths and members of the diplomatic corps.”

Here’s the menu for the Friday's dinner:

Kitchen Garden Chopped Summer Salad
Tarragon Dressing
Spiced Lavash

Thyme-roasted Natural Chicken
Sunchoke Puree
Farmstand Vegetable Ratatouille

Vanilla Peach Sesame Halvah Crunch
Green Apple Lime Granita