DESIGNATING JANUARY AS “MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH” AND RECOGNIZING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN AND MUSLIM RESIDENTS OF DELAWARE AS THEY OBSERVE RAMADAN.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Wilson-Anton & Sen. Sturgeon

Reps. Minor-Brown, Bush, S. Moore; Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Brown, Cruce, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pinkney, Poore, Seigfried, Townsend, Walsh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 95

DESIGNATING JANUARY AS “MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH” AND RECOGNIZING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN AND MUSLIM RESIDENTS OF DELAWARE AS THEY OBSERVE RAMADAN.

WHEREAS,

the State of Delaware takes great pride in the varied religious and cultural traditions of residents of this State and seeks to afford all people in Delaware the opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich histories, cultures, and shared principles of Muslim Americans; and

WHEREAS, Islam is one of the world’s major religions and part of our shared human heritage; and

WHEREAS, Muslims are the world’s second largest religious group, with 1.9 billion adherents, representing approximately 25 percent of the world’s population; and

WHEREAS, Muslims have made significant contributions that shape our world, including notable achievements in philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medicine, architecture, music, literature, and the arts; and

WHEREAS, from the early days of European settlement to the present day, Muslim Americans have played a significant role in the history of this State’s economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development; and

WHEREAS, there are several thousand Muslim Americans across this State, contributing to its economy, social fabric, and multicultural and pluralistic traditions; and

WHEREAS, the 3.45 million Muslims in the United States come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, including immigrants and native-born Americans, and represent approximately 1.1 percent of the country’s population; and

WHEREAS, the history of Muslims in the United States dates back to before the country’s founding, originating with enslaved Africans, of whom scholars estimate as many as 30 percent were Muslim, who brought Islamic beliefs and practices with them and contributed in numerous ways to the founding of the nation, including courageous and dedicated military service in every major war from the American Revolutionary War until today; and

WHEREAS, Muslim Americans strive to promote peace and mutual understanding between all faiths and identities, while upholding the values and principles of Islam and those of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, incidents of anti-Muslim violence and rhetoric are still prevalent in our State, and educational initiatives are critical to combating bigotry; and

WHEREAS, the people of Delaware benefit from the social benevolence, patriotism, philanthropy, humanitarianism, advocacy, civic engagement, culture, and business of Muslim Americans and Muslim American organizations that operate within the State; and

WHEREAS, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered the holiest month of the year; and

WHEREAS, Ramadan is on the Lunar calendar and this year will be observed from February 18th to March 20th; and

WHEREAS, Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Quran, the holy book of Islam, was revealed; and

WHEREAS, Muslims fast during the entirety of the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset; and

WHEREAS, many Muslims participate in nightly communal prayers called Taraweeh, in addition to the five daily Islamic prayers; and

WHEREAS, Ramadan is a time to reflect spiritually, build communally, and aid those in need, and marks an annual spiritual beginning for each individual – a reason to celebrate and express gratitude in this month; and

WHEREAS, during the month of Ramadan, all people are encouraged to reflect on past successes and challenges of Muslims and look to the future to continue to improve our society so that we live up to our ideals of freedom, equality, and justice; and

WHEREAS, as the month of Ramadan is observed, we must remember the critical importance of the respect that is to be accorded to all faiths and beliefs as reflected in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which forbids the making of any “law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.”

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED

by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the month of January of each year is designated as “Muslim Heritage Month” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the observance of the holy month of Ramadan as a month of fasting, sacrifice, gratitude, and reflection, and the Muslim residents of this State who daily contribute to the betterment of this State and this Nation, be recognized.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 153rd General Assembly encourages all Delawareans to join the General Assembly in celebrating the collective ingenuity, creativity, cultures, and traditions of Muslim Americans, and commit ourselves to raising awareness and appreciation of the month of Ramadan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 153rd General Assembly encourages all governments, schools, and businesses throughout this State to extend religious accommodations, in accordance with existing law, to the many Muslim residents, students, and workers of this State as they observe Ramadan through fasting, sacrifice, and reflection and as they mark the end of Ramadan with celebratory festivities on the holiday known as Eid ul-Fitr.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution designates January as “Muslim Heritage Month” and recognizes Ramadan and Muslim residents of this State as they observe it.