IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 246 

Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of 

fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United 

States and throughout the world for their faith. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 23, 2023 

Mr. CARSON (for himself, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. OMAR, Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia, 

Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ, Mr. LYNCH, Ms. NORTON, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. 

COSTA, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. 

ESPAILLAT, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. VARGAS, Ms. MACE, Mr. 

SCHIFF, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. 

JAYAPAL, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Ms. CROCKETT, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. 

EVANS, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. CARTER of Louisiana, Mrs. DINGELL, 

Mr. KHANNA, Mr. BOWMAN, Ms. SEWELL, Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ, Ms. PORTER, Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. HIMES, Ms. 

KAMLAGER-DOVE, and Mr. GRIJALVA) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim 

holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout 

the world for their faith. 

Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 

1,900,000,000 Muslims worldwide and 4,500,000 Muslims in the United States; 


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•HRES 246 IH 

Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual 

renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of 

the Muslim calendar year; 

Whereas the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on March 22, 2023, and continues for one lunar month; 

Whereas one of the purposes of fasting during the holy 

month of Ramadan is for Muslims to gain a better understanding of the plight faced by those who are less fortunate; 

Whereas American Muslims contribute greatly to charitable 

organizations that help people from all faiths in the 

United States and around the world by providing food for 

the hungry, medical assistance, family services, scholastic 

supplies, before and after school programs, refugee resettlement, and relief efforts following natural disasters; 

Whereas American Muslims have contributed greatly to the 

United States, serving as medical professionals, teachers, 

first responders, journalists, writers, artists, athletes, 

small business owners, professors, activists, community 

leaders, and elected public officials across government 

representing both major political parties; 

Whereas the American Muslim community is among the most 

racially diverse faith groups in the United States; 

Whereas Thomas Jefferson was the first President to host an 

iftar, the meal breaking fast during Ramadan, at the 

White House in 1805, and every President since 1996 

has hosted an iftar for members of the community during 

their Presidencies; 

Whereas the Department of State and United States Agency 

for International Development have hosted iftars through 


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•HRES 246 IH 

the years for staff and members of the diplomatic community; 

Whereas the Department of Agriculture has hosted iftar dinners since 2008 to recognize and welcome interfaith dialogue and collaboration with individuals and organizations whose core values often overlap significantly with 

the mission of the Department, including disaster recovery, reducing food waste, ensuring access to nutritious 

food, and fostering safe, prosperous, and thriving communities; 

Whereas the Pentagon has held iftar dinners to celebrate 

Ramadan starting in 1999, recognizing American Muslims serving in all branches of the United States military; 

and 

Whereas over 5,500 Muslims serve on active duty, and over 

2,300 Muslims serve as selected reserve personnel in the 

United States Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) in order to demonstrate solidarity with and 

3 support for members of the community of Islam in 

4 the United States and throughout the world, the 

5 House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic 

6 faith as one of the great religions of the world; and 

7 (2) in observance of and out of respect for the 

8 commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month 

9 of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Rep10 resentatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and 

11 expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the 


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•HRES 246 IH 

1 United States and throughout the world on this sig2 nificant occasion. 

Æ 


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