
Obama also appealed for donations for victims of devastating floods in Pakistan.
This year's holiday falls on Saturday's 9/11 anniversary during a time of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S. over plans for a mosque and Islamic cultural center near ground zero. A Florida pastor also is threatening to burn copies of the Muslim holy book on Saturday.
Obama said the Muslim holiday is a time to reflect on the importance of religious tolerance and to honor the positive role all religions have played in American life.
