Title: 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.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world, acknowledges the onset of Ramadan (the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims), and expresses respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 940 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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;
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 
        after-school 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;
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
    Resolved, That--
            (1) in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for 
        members of the community of Islam in the United States and 
        throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes 
        the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; 
        and
            (2) in observance of and out of respect for the 
        commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and 
        spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges 
        the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to 
        Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this 
        significant occasion.
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