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Calendar No. 699

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 133

Supporting religious tolerance toward Muslims.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

JULY 1, 1999

Mr. ABRAHAM (for himself, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. ROBB, Mr. WELLSTONE, Mr.

LIEBERMAN, Mr. JOHNSON, and Mr. FEINGOLD) submitted the following

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JULY 20, 2000

Reported by Mr. HATCH, without amendment

RESOLUTION

Supporting religious tolerance toward Muslims.

Whereas the American Muslim community, comprised of approximately 6,000,000 people, is a vital part of our Nation, with more than 1,500 mosques, Islamic schools, and

Islamic centers in neighborhoods across the United

States;

Whereas Islam is one of the great Abrahamic faiths, whose

significant contributions throughout history have advanced the fields of math, science, medicine, law, philosophy, art, and literature;
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•SRES 133 RS

Whereas the United States is a secular nation, with an unprecedented commitment to religious tolerance and pluralism, where the rights, liberties, and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution are guaranteed to all citizens regardless of religious affiliation;

Whereas Muslims have been subjected, simply because of

their faith, to acts of discrimination and harassment that

all too often have led to hate-inspired violence, as was the

case during the rush to judgment in the aftermath of the

tragic Oklahoma City bombing;

Whereas discrimination against Muslims intimidates American Muslims and may prevent Muslims from freely expressing their opinions and exercising their religious beliefs as guaranteed by the first amendment to the Constitution;

Whereas American Muslims have regrettably been portrayed

in a negative light in some discussions of policy issues

such as issues relating to religious persecution abroad or

fighting terrorism in the United States;

Whereas stereotypes and anti-Muslim rhetoric have also contributed to a backlash against Muslims in some neighborhoods across the United States; and

Whereas all persons in the United States who espouse and

adhere to the values of the founders of our Nation should

help in the fight against bias, bigotry, and intolerance in

all their forms and from all their sources: Now, therefore,

be it

1 Resolved, That—

2 (1) the Senate condemns anti-Muslim intoler3 ance and discrimination as wholly inconsistent with
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•SRES 133 RS

1 the American values of religious tolerance and plu2 ralism;

3 (2) while the Senate respects and upholds the

4 right of individuals to free speech, the Senate ac5 knowledges that individuals and organizations that

6 foster such intolerance create an atmosphere of ha7 tred and fear that divides the Nation;

8 (3) the Senate resolves to uphold a level of po9 litical discourse that does not involve making a

10 scapegoat of an entire religion or drawing political

11 conclusions on the basis of religious doctrine; and

12 (4) the Senate recognizes the contributions of

13 American Muslims, who are followers of one of the

14 three major monotheistic religions of the world and

15 one of the fastest growing faiths in the United

16 States.
Calendar No. 699

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. RES. 133

RESOLUTION

Supporting religious tolerance toward Muslims.

JULY 20, 2000

Reported without amendment