Congressman Keith Ellison, co-sponsor of Ramadan resolution, looks at the Quran once used by Thomas Jefferson. | |
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Washington – A resolution recognizing
the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and expressing the "deepest
respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the
world" was adopted in the U.S. House of Representatives
October 2 by a vote of 376-0.
The resolution acknowledging the importance
of Muslims in America, the first of its kind, was introduced
by Texas Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson 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. (See related
article.)
"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 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 later.
American Muslim reaction to the resolution
is "overwhelmingly positive," according to Corey
Saylor of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "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 said.
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."
The House resolution, "Recognizing
Commencement of Ramadan and Commending Muslims for Their
Faith," Ellison said, shows "solidarity between
America and the Muslim community across the world."
For more stories related to Ramadan, see
Celebrating
Ramadan in America.
By Lea Terhune
USINFO Staff Writer
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