IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 940 

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 

APRIL 23, 2020 

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. OMAR, Ms. 

TLAIB, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. RUSH, Ms. NORTON, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. PASCRELL, Ms. WEXTON, Mr. MEEKS, 

Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. VEASEY, Ms. ESHOO, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. STEVENS, Mr. MCNERNEY, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Ms. 

LOFGREN, and Ms. PORTER) 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 

1,800,000,000 Muslims worldwide; 

Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual 

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

the Muslim calendar year; 


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•HRES 940 IH 

Whereas the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on April 23, 2020, 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 Muslims contribute greatly to charitable organizations that help people from all faiths in the United States 

and around the world by providing medical assistance, 

family services, scholastic supplies, before- and afterschool programs, feeding the hungry, and providing recuperation efforts following natural disasters; 

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 

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; 


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•HRES 940 IH 

Whereas the Pentagon has held an iftar dinner every year 

since 1999, recognizing the thousands of American Muslims serving in all branches of the United States military; 

Whereas over 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty, and over 

2,300 Muslims serve as selected reserve personnel in the 

United States Armed Forces; 

Whereas this Ramadan, most Muslims around the world are 

making every effort to support self-quarantine and physical distancing due to the COVID–19 pandemic as advised by local, regional, State, and national public health 

or government authorities; 

Whereas American houses of faith, community centers, 

schools, and other public centers have made a great sacrifice in suspending all nonessential gatherings until further notice, including services for major religious events 

such as Ramadan, Passover, and Easter; and 

Whereas Muslims, like other faith communities, during these 

trying times are finding new ways to bridge the gap of 

physical distancing by celebrating their faith and Ramadan online through virtual congregational sermons and 

community events: 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 


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•HRES 940 IH 

1 of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Rep2 resentatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and 

3 expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the 

4 United States and throughout the world on this sig5 nificant occasion. 

Æ 


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