Welcoming his guests in the state dining room of the White House, Mr Obama said,''For well over a billion Muslims, Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection.

''Tonight's Iftar is a ritual that is being carried out this Ramadan at kitchen tables and mosques in all 50 states.

''Islam as we know is part of America. Like the broader American citizenry, the American Muslim community is one of extraordinary dynamism and diversity.

''On this occasion, we celebrate the holy month of Ramadan and we also celebrate how much Muslims have enriched America and its culture in ways both large and small.''

Among the guests Mr Obama praised was a first-year student at the University of Memphis, Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who scored more points than any other girl or boy in the history of high school basketball in the state of Massachusetts.

''She recently told a reporter, 'I would like to inspire a lot of young Muslim girls if they want to play basketball.

Anything is possible, they can do it too,''' Mr Obama, who has a well-known love of the sport, said.

''Bilquis is an inspiration not simply to Muslim girls, she is an inspiration to all of us.''

The President also recognised the first two Muslim lawmakers in the US Congress, Keith Ellison and Andre Carson.

In a message marking Ramadan last week, he pledged ''concrete actions'' to renew ties with Islamic countries, less than three months after his historic address to the Muslim world in Cairo.

''I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world,'' he said in a video address posted as the world's estimated 1.5billion Muslims prepared for a month of fasting and reflection.

The President, who has Muslim heritage on his father's side, also pledged ''unyielding'' support for a two-state solution to the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

He also promised to ''responsibly end the war in Iraq''.

Islam's fasting month began on August 22 worldwide, and ends about September 21.

AFP