U.S Congress Passes "Ramadan" Bill

[W63L35]

US CONGRESS PASSES RAMADAN BILL

This is HISTORIC for American- Muslims and Muslims around the world. This is the first time in history that the United States Congress will commemorate and recognize the month of Ramadan as the Islamic holy month. The language from the bill text is below for your viewing. 110th CONGRESS 1st Session - H. RES. 635 Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic 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 September 5, 2007 Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. MEEKS of New York, and Mr. KEITH ELLISON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith. Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of the Islamic faith; Whereas, on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks; Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 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; and Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That-- (1) during this time of conflict, 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 Islamic 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. ^ The Congress passed the resolution unanimously 376-0 on October 2,2007.

[Pak_cricketer]

Good on them.

[MCMLXXXII]

This is great. Keith Ellison is the first Muslim representative in congress. It is good that we r getting these things done here. Muslims need to get politically more active, soon they will number more than the jews in the US.

[akram_rejuvinated]

its just a token a resolution, but a geniune step in the right direction. will let the lazy representatives spend an entire day talking about islam, quoting from texts and expressing views that they only support for the moment, all instead of working on passing bills.

much rather prefered that they examine their aloof attitude with respect to darfur and help restore democracy to afghanistan.

[aussie-pak]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie its just a token a resolution, but a geniune step in the right direction. will let the lazy representatives spend an entire day talking about islam, quoting from texts and expressing views that they only support for the moment, all instead of working on passing bills. much rather prefered that they examine their aloof attitude with respect to darfur and help restore democracy to afghanistan.

totally agree with you.

[aussie-pak]

arnt the jewish lobby protesting?

[Aurangzeb]

what does this "recognition" mean for american muslims?...anyways, its good to get some positive recognition even if it is meaningless...

i still see it as a deflection from the real issues plaguing the US right now...

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie its just a token a resolution, but a geniune step in the right direction. will let the lazy representatives spend an entire day talking about islam, quoting from texts and expressing views that they only support for the moment, all instead of working on passing bills. much rather prefered that they examine their aloof attitude with respect to darfur and help restore democracy to afghanistan.

Are you that devestated that they did something for Muslims?

[akram_rejuvinated]

Originally Posted by aussie-pak arnt the jewish lobby protesting?

there is no jewish lobby perse, there are interest groups, and no they are not protesting.

[akram_rejuvinated]

Originally Posted by Oxy Are you that devestated that they did something for Muslims?

are you so deluded to believe that this token resolution is a sign of solidarity and not just a political gimmick?

[Aurangzeb]

Originally Posted by aussie-pak arnt the jewish lobby protesting?

i don't see why this would affect AIPAC in any way...they already own congress...

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Aurangzeb what does this "recognition" mean for american muslims?...anyways, its good to get some positive recognition even if it is meaningless... i still see it as a deflection from the real issues plaguing the US right now...

Yes that's what i thought too.

Apparently they had been urging congress for a long time to pass this bill so obviously it must have some importance(don't know exactly).

Here is a piece from 2005
An Islamic advocacy group is urging American Muslims "and other people of conscience" to contact their elected representatives and urge them to sign a House resolution recognizing the upcoming fast of Ramadan -- and commending Muslims for their faith.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations calls the resolution an important tool for encouraging dialogue between Muslims and their elected officials, as well as enhancing understanding of the Islamic faith.

The resolution, which expresses the opinion of Congress, mentions threats and attacks directed at members of the Islamic faith since the 9/11 terror attacks.

http://www.crosswalk.com/1353206/print/

[Joseph K.]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie there is no jewish lobby perse, there are interest groups, and no they are not protesting.

http://ksgnotes1.harvard.edu/Researc...6_011_walt.pdf

(be patient as the link opens an 83 page .pdf file and takes a bit of time)

[aussie-pak]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie there is no jewish lobby perse, there are interest groups, and no they are not protesting.

for some reason i doupt that.

[akram_rejuvinated]

Originally Posted by aussie-pak for some reason i doupt that.

hey if american can depart from their momentary infatuation of demonizing islam and pass a token resolution, maybe you can pause, take off your anti semetic glasses, move out of the shade of the "zionist propaganda" and take the facts for their face value. its a token resolution, and jewish lobbies dont feel that it does anything either ways to their agendas, hence, the lack of response.

[Joseph K.]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie hey if american can depart from their momentary infatuation of demonizing islam and pass a token resolution, maybe you can pause, take off your anti semetic glasses, move out of the shade of the "zionist propaganda" and take the facts for their face value. its a token resolution, and jewish lobbies dont feel that it does anything either ways to their agendas, hence, the lack of response.

Didn't you say, "there is no jewish lobby perse, there are interest groups" above?

The oldest trick in a Zionist's bag: cry antisemitism each time you are pointed at. Bring something new, will ya?

[Aurangzeb]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie hey if american can depart from their momentary infatuation of demonizing islam and pass a token resolution, maybe you can pause, take off your anti semetic glasses, move out of the shade of the "zionist propaganda" and take the facts for their face value. its a token resolution, and jewish lobbies dont feel that it does anything either ways to their agendas, hence, the lack of response.

ah, the classic accusation of anti-semitism...wonder when the yahoodi's will conjure up another strategy to feign victimization...this one is getting rather boring frankly...

anyways, they're too busy lobbying for a strike on iran at the moment...no time to protest token resolutions...

[Islamabadi]

this is good news....maybe the students in america can finally get two eid holidays

[laz]

Just wondered do any Muslim countries pass laws giving other religions holidays

[Joseph K.]

December 25th is a public holiday in Pakistan. But then it is Jinnah's birthday as well. Easter falls on Sunday anyway. The question is would Christians get a day off for Christmas if it was not the Quaid's birthday? I don't think so and I would not think that Christians would cry for it either. Muslims, on the other hand, like to make full use (and more) of their religious rights when living in non-Muslim countries.

[PlanetPakistan]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1
New York's iconic Empire State Building is to be lit up green from Friday in honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid, the biggest festival in the Muslim calendar marking the end of Ramadan, officials said.

"This is the first time that the Empire State Building will be illuminated for Eid, and the lighting will become an annual event in the same tradition of the yearly lightings for Christmas and Hannukah," according to a statement.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month, is expected to be celebrated in New York from Friday, depending on when the new moon is sighted, and the city's tallest skyscraper will remain green until Sunday.

Built in the early 1930s, the 443-meter-tall (1,454-feet-tall) Empire State Building was first lit up with colored lighting in 1976, when red, white and blue lights were used to mark the American Bicentennial.

An estimated seven million Muslims live in the United States.

[The Blazer]

I'm sorry, but how is this Bill in any way important? It doesn't change anything except the fact that the Americans will now acknowledge Ramadan as an Islamic holy month...

Pointless.

[Bangla Tiger]

Originally Posted by laz Just wondered do any Muslim countries pass laws giving other religions holidays

sure...bangladesh has christmas, buddha purnima, hindu pujas and eids as federal official holidays.

4 different religions have official gov holidays, probably more than any other country.

[Bangla Tiger]

Originally Posted by Joseph K. December 25th is a public holiday in Pakistan. But then it is Jinnah's birthday as well. Easter falls on Sunday anyway. The question is would Christians get a day off for Christmas if it was not the Quaid's birthday? I don't think so and I would not think that Christians would cry for it either. Muslims, on the other hand, like to make full use (and more) of their religious rights when living in non-Muslim countries.

yes there is definitely a superiority complex going on. spot on.

the sooner muslims realize this the better...no problem asking for things. just make sure you can return the favor.

otherwise cries of abuse and oppression, even if real, will fall onto deaf ears.

[akram_rejuvinated]

Originally Posted by Bangla Tiger sure...bangladesh has christmas, buddha purnima, hindu pujas and eids as federal official holidays. 4 different religions have official gov holidays, probably more than any other country.

you cant beat india when it comes to religious holidays. every occassion from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam etc is awarded a day off! its amazeming that we actually get work done!

p.s. government institutions, since they are secular do not receive religious days off. they only have their designated bank holidays and the three national holidays: 15th august, 26th january, 2nd october.

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

Originally Posted by Joseph K. December 25th is a public holiday in Pakistan. But then it is Jinnah's birthday as well. Easter falls on Sunday anyway. The question is would Christians get a day off for Christmas if it was not the Quaid's birthday? I don't think so and I would not think that Christians would cry for it either. Muslims, on the other hand, like to make full use (and more) of their religious rights when living in non-Muslim countries.

well actually quaids birthday's date is disputed, they say that its not really dec 25 but to give the Christians a holiday that had to make it that

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by Joseph K. December 25th is a public holiday in Pakistan. But then it is Jinnah's birthday as well. Easter falls on Sunday anyway. The question is would Christians get a day off for Christmas if it was not the Quaid's birthday? I don't think so and I would not think that Christians would cry for it either. Muslims, on the other hand, like to make full use (and more) of their religious rights when living in non-Muslim countries.

I don't know where you live but here in USA, Jews take the fullest (more than Christians) advantage of their religious holidays! I know a guy who is a teacher in New York public school system and he was telling me schools are closed on every single Jewish holidays!

[lahori]

I would be more interested in a 'halal' law where all meat in the US gets slaughtered in a halal manner. Think of all the new venues it would open up for halal eating Muslims . Halal Chipotle is what I need !

[Bangla Tiger]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie you cant beat india when it comes to religious holidays. every occassion from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam etc is awarded a day off! its amazeming that we actually get work done! p.s. government institutions, since they are secular do not receive religious days off. they only have their designated bank holidays and the three national holidays: 15th august, 26th january, 2nd october.

i think we got you beat still ;)

we got 4 to tie your 4 (unless you guys get jain holidays). and our 4 are gov holidays, IIRC (not sure though).

btw, my sikh friend told me they didnt have holidays since sikhs view all days as equal...if true we win 4-3

[aliff]

Originally Posted by Super_Freddie you cant beat india when it comes to religious holidays. every occassion from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam etc is awarded a day off! its amazeming that we actually get work done!

I think we do beat India or any other country when it comes to religious holidays. Eid festival (3-4 days vacation), Durga Puja (3-4 days vacation), Buddha Purnima (1 day off), Borodin (Christmas- 1 day off). .. hehe.. even though Christians and Buddhist makes less than 1% of BD's population, yet they are awarded holidays.