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AMP Report - October 5, 2007
U.S. House passes historic Ramadan resolution
The U.S. House of Representative on Oct. 2, 2007, in a historic move, passed a historic resolution commemorating Ramadan. The resolution, that marks a milestone in the history of Muslims in America, was introduced on Sept. 5 by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and co-sponsored by 30 legislators, including Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota. Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress. The resolution was approved by a vote of 376-0.
The resolution recognized “the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world,” rejected “hatred, bigotry and violence directed against Muslims, both in the United States and worldwide” and “[commended] Muslims in the United States and across the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence and terror.”
The American Muslim Voice (AMV) President Khalid Saeed welcomed the resolution and said that the historic Congress move underscores the tradition of religious pluralism and religious freedom in America.
Corey Saylor, Government Affairs Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said: "It’s a sign that Muslims in America are growing in their recognition as being part of the mainstream fabric of the United States." "America is a pluralistic society, and it welcomes all different faiths, but it’s up to each of those different faiths to assert itself in the public sphere, and what this resolution does is shows that American Muslims are learning more and more how to assert themselves in the public sphere," he added.
Executive Director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council Salam Al-Marayati said, "It’s definitely a milestone for America and a positive reinforcement for the tradition of religious pluralism in our country," which has been a haven for diverse religious minorities. "It’s a sign of reassurance and a sign of inclusion and a sign of social harmony, and people are very pleased with the resolution for having accomplished these things."
Keith Ellison, a co-sponsor the resolution said that the House resolution shows "solidarity between America and the Muslim community across the world." "It’s a sign of respect and recognition. It’s a very American thing to do. We are a nation of religious tolerance and religious inclusion," Ellison told the USINFO. "The basic idea is to demonstrate not only to the Muslim world but to the whole world that the U.S. Congress is a place where all faiths are respected, all faiths are recognized, where we embrace our diversity and where we believe that the promise of America is that you may seek the Divine as you see fit within your own judgment, and in your own tradition and in your own way," he said.
California’s Brad Sherman, who strongly supported the bill, said when presenting the resolution for discussion and a vote on the floor of the House: "The observance of Ramadan requires devotion to faith, community and family, truly universal values we all share." He said it is "appropriate and necessary" for Congress to recognize the observance to express "the deep respect we all feel for Muslims in the United States and around the world."
The author of the bill, Eddie Bernice Johnson, told the House, "The Muslim American community contributes to the vibrant growth of American society and culture. Muslim Americans play a significant role in our nation’s political process, economic growth, scientific development, free enterprise, religious tolerance, law enforcement and homeland security."
"American pluralistic ideals, democratic institutions and multiculturalism are expanded and strengthened by the contribution of Muslim American civic participation," she said, adding, "During this holy month, I’d like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims."
Ellison told legislators that as a Muslim observing Ramadan, "I can tell you it is a time of reflection, a time of renewal, and regeneration," adding, "It’s important to reassess your life, to contemplate your role in society and to benefit your neighbor." He described a joint breakfast held in this spirit by his mosque and Temple Israel in Minneapolis on the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur that drew 160 people. "We didn’t have enough chairs for everybody, but we had enough food because we shared it … showing again that we’re not too far apart."
New Jersey’s Bill Pascrell pointed out features Islam has in common with other faiths and said, "It should be imperative for all of us non-Muslims to learn about this faith, which too often has been misunderstood and mischaracterized."
"As the grandson of immigrants, I know true assimilation means preserving traditions while achieving success. I am in awe at how quickly the Muslim-American community has mastered both," Texas Representative Nick Lampson said, attributing their success to "shared values of hard work, discipline, community, family and culture."
The resolution reiterates support for American Muslims in the face of hate crimes, and maintains a strong stand against intolerance. "May Ramadan this year truly be a time when Muslims and people of all faiths embrace freedom and tolerance for all, and reject violence and extremism," said Texas Representative Ted Poe.
A hate crime is "a violation of law, it’s a violation of our culture and a violation of the American way of life," Ellison said.
Commending the efforts of Congresswoman Bernice Johnson for introducing the Ramadan resolution, the Muslim Public Affairs Council said:
“America is a nation that upholds religious freedom, where Muslims can worship freely without encroachment from the government. Unfortunately, the rest of the world, including Muslim majority nations, trails far behind in upholding the tenets of free worship. For Muslim countries, this is particularly disappointing given the Quran's injunction: "Let there be no compulsion in matters of faith" (2:256).
“This month, nearly every official from the President to the Speaker of the House has issued congratulatory messages to Muslim Americans for fasting during the month of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam. Several Cabinet officials are hosting iftars and inviting Muslim Americans to break the fast under the auspices of the U.S. government. We commend our public officials for reaching out to Muslim communities during this month and recognizing this religious rite for Muslims.
“It is now time to move to the next level of our engagement with the rest of society, to be proactive and publicly demonstrate Muslim contributions to America during this month and throughout the year. Ramadan cannot be perceived to be an exercise in managing hypoglycemia, thirst and hunger; rather, it must be an exercise in becoming human in the truest form by giving back to those who are less fortunate
“Otherwise, Ramadan will be perceived as a futile exercise in managing hypoglycemia, thirst and hunger. Ramadan is the training grounds for all Muslims to develop the stamina and the moral compunction to work for justice, Islam's highest ethical value. Thus, we must work to tell the story of Ramadan's emphasis on human rights, not just religious rights.”
Voting pattern:
Forty-one Republicans, more than 20 percent of the caucus, and one Democrat, Mike McIntyre (N.C.), voted “present” (refused voting) on the resolution recognizing the commencement of Ramadan.
Republicans who refused to vote include Tom Tancredo (Colorado) and Virgil Goode (Virginia). Tancredo has previously advocated the bombing of Islamic holy sites, while Goode criticized the use of the Quran in the ceremonial swearing-in of the first Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison.
Here under are the Republicans who refused voting:
Joining Tancredo in his “present” vote were Republican Reps. Robert Aderholt (Ala.), Todd Akin (Mo.), Gresham Barrett (S.C.), Jo Bonner (Ala.), Mary Bono (Calif.), Tom Tancredo (Colo.), Paul Broun (Ga.), Ginny Brown-Waite (Fla.), Michael Burgess (Texas), Steve Buyer (Ind.), John Carter (Texas), Mike Conaway (Texas), Nathan Deal (Ga.), Terry Everett (Ala.), Mary Fallin (Okla.), Randy Forbes (Va.), Trent Franks (Ariz.), Scott Garrett (N.J.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Virgil Goode (Va.), Kay Granger (Texas), Robin Hayes (N.C.), Sam Johnson (Texas), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Steve King (Iowa), Doug Lamborn (Colo.), Kenny Marchant (Texas), Jeff Miller (Fla.), Randy Neugebauer (Texas), Tom Price (Ga.), Mike Rogers (Ala.), Mark Souder (Ind.), Mac Thornberry (Texas), Todd Tiahrt (Kan.), Tim Walberg (Mich.), Zach Wamp (Tenn.), Dave Weldon (Fla.), Lynn Westmoreland (Ga.), Don Young (Alaska) and Bill Young (Fla.), as well as Democrat Mike McIntyre (N.C.).
The 42 lawmakers make up more than 10 percent of the members voting on the resolution. There were zero “no” votes, and 14 members did not vote.
Here is the text of the resolution:
Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 Muslims worldwide;
Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, some threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of the Islamic faith;
Whereas, on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States;
Whereas some extremists have attempted to use selective interpretations of Islam to justify and encourage hatred, persecution, oppression, violence and terrorism against the United States, the West, Israel, other Muslims, and non-Muslims;
Whereas some Muslims in the United States and abroad have courageously spoken out in rejection of interpretations of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror, and in support of interpretations of and movements within Islam that justify and encourage democracy, tolerance and full civil and political rights for Muslims and those of all faiths;
Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and
Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commenced at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives:
(1) recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world;
(2) expresses friendship and support for Muslims in the United States and worldwide;
(3) acknowledges the onset of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and conveys its respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion;
(4) rejects hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims, both in the United States and worldwide; and
(5) commends Muslims in the United States and across the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror.
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