Muslim Appreciation Month Proclamation | Livermore City Council (August 2021)
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 2021-09-30

The Livermore City Council joins communities throughout California in recognizing August 2021 as Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month. 

- More Proclamation recordings: http://mcceastbay.org/proclamation

Livermore Mayor Bob Woerner introduces the virtual Proclamation on September 27, 2021 at Council Chambers. 

The Proclamation acknowledges the rich history and guiding virtues of American Muslims, and commends Muslim communities in California for the lasting positive impact they have made, and continue to make, toward the advancement of the state and the nation.

The Proclamation recognizes the Islamic Center of Livermore as fulfilling the spiritual and cultural needs of Livermore residents and promoting interfaith cooperation by providing an environment for dialogue, education, and fellowship. The full text of the proclamation is below.

The Livermore City Council follows in the steps of other City Councils in the San Francisco Bay Area, like Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, Santa Clara, Union City, Oakland, San Jose, and Redwood City.

A special thanks to Sameena Usman from CAIR San Francisco for facilitating this and other Proclamations in the Bay Area. 

- More community & social justice issues in the American-Muslim community: http://mcceastbay.org/community 
- More CAIR-MCC co-sponsored talks: http://mcceastbay.org/cair
- More MCC interfaith events: http://mcceastbay.org/interfaith

- Watch San Ramon '21 Proclamation: https://youtu.be/K4dnP1NXFv4
- Watch Pleasanton 21' Proclamation: https://youtu.be/ZX_MdpThzek
- Watch Dublin '21 Proclamation: https://youtu.be/5yLuSj2w-w0

American Muslim Appreciation Month
City of Livermore

WHEREAS, freedom of religion holds distinction as a cherished and essential right and a fundamental value upon which this nation was founded; and

WHEREAS, Muslims have been part of U.S. history from the beginning and have contributed to the production of wealth and construction of the nation; they are also part of the rich history of the civil rights movement; and

WHEREAS, enriched by the unparalleled diversity of its residents, the City of Livermore takes great pride in supporting individual religious freedoms and is strengthened by the many varied religious, political, and cultural traditions and contributions of its diverse populations, including those that practice Islam; and

WHEREAS, Muslims are teachers, lawyers, scientists, doctors, social workers, tech workers, nurses, and business owners among numerous other valued professions, as well as peace builders, activists, entrepreneurs, and politicians; and

WHEREAS, there is a thriving community of 250,000 Muslims[1] in the Bay Area and over 100 mosques and religious centers; and Muslims pursue diverse professions and make rich contributions to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the United States, and have distinguished themselves by fostering greater respect and understanding among all people through faith and services; and

WHEREAS, the shelter-in-place order due to the COVID-19 outbreak forced the temporary closure of Muslim nonprofits, community centers, mosques, schools, businesses, and other establishments. Mosques and community organizations provided online programming and sermons along with small group prayers outside. They have answered the call for help by donating funds, distributing food, by sewing masks, and by serving on the front lines as healthcare and service workers; and they have educated their congregations about social distancing guidelines and practices to keep the community safe; and

WHEREAS, since 1994, the Islamic Center of Livermore[2] helps fulfill the spiritual and cultural needs of nearly 200 Livermore residents who are Muslim and the Islamic center promotes interfaith cooperation by providing an environment for dialogue, education, and fellowship as a founding member and fiscal sponsor of Interfaith Interconnect of the Tri-Valley. The Islamic Center has a volunteer-run Food Pantry that has been regularly serving the community since 2019. Every month food is distributed on a monthly basis, participates in interfaith activities in the Tri-Valley, such as monthly religion chat, backpack project;  and

WHEREAS, the Muslim Student Alliance at Las Positas College strives to create an inclusive environment for its community and beyond[3]; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to acknowledge and promote awareness of the myriad of invaluable contributions of Muslims in California and across the country, and extend to them the respect and camaraderie every person deserves.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, the City of Livermore does hereby recognize the California State Designation of August 2021 as Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month (HR 58)  to acknowledge the rich history, contributions, and guiding virtues of Muslims and to commend all Muslim communities in California for the lasting positive impact they have made toward the advancement of our city and country.