The White House is trying to disassociate itself from the anti-Islam slurs of evangelists like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and Franklin Graham and attacks on the religion by conservative columnists like Charles Krauthammer and Cal Thomas.

This effort, which was most visible during the month of Ramzan and the just concluded Eid festival, has two motives, administrative officials admit.

First, to counter the fears of Muslims that they are being subjected to racial profiling. A Federal Bureau of Investigation report has said hate crimes against Muslims were up by over 1,600 per cent in 2001 compared to 2000.

Secondly, to try and change the growing perception in Muslim countries that the US-led campaign against terrorism is a veiled crusade against Islam, as reported in the recent Pew Research Centre public survey.

As it readies itself for a possible war against Iraq, the administration believes that reaching out to Muslims in the US is as important as conducting global diplomacy. Thus, besides coming out strongly against the anti-Islam remarks by the evangelists, Bush issued greetings at the beginning of Ramzan.

He also hosted an Iftar party, as did his Secretary of State Colin Powell, and then issued an Eid-ul-Fitr message to Muslims in the US and around the world.

"The spirit behind this holiday reminds us that Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my country, and to more than a billion people worldwide. Ramzan is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilisation of learning that has benefited mankind. Here in the United States, Muslims have made many contributions in business, science, law, medicine, education and other fields."

"Muslim members of our armed forces and of my administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation's ideals of liberty and justice in a world at peace," the message said.

He also visited the Islamic Centre in Washington to commemorate Eid-ul-Fitr. His first visit to the Islamic Centre had been days after 9/11, at a time when the anti-Muslim fervour was at an all-time high.

After removing his shoes and entering the centre, Bush, flanked by half-a-dozen imams, praised Islam for inspiring 'countless individuals to lead lives of honesty, integrity, and morality'.

The Director of the centre, Abdullah Khouj, in turn praised Bush for coming, saying it demonstrated 'the value of human tolerance, a virtue taught by Islam and practised here in America'.

Dr Yahya Basha, chairman of the American Muslim Council, echoed his sentiments. The president's Eid message and visit to the centre 'draws the world's attention to Islam's basic tenets, its message of peace and tolerance, and also Islam's contribution to mankind', he said.

9/11 and The Events That Followed: Complete Coverage