SENATE RESOLUTION
8688
By Senators Trudeau, Kuderer, Hasegawa, Torres, Wagoner, Billig, Braun, Cleveland,
Conway, Dhingra, Frame, Hansen, Hunt, Keiser, King, Lovelett, Lovick, Nguyen,
Nobles, Pedersen, Robinson, Saldaña, Shewmake, Stanford, Valdez, Van De Wege, and
C. Wilson
1 WHEREAS, The senate of the state of Washington take pride in
2 recognizing and honoring Ramadan; a holy month of fasting and
3 spiritual reflection that is observed by Muslims across the United
4 States and throughout the World; and
5 WHEREAS, Islam is one of the world's major religions with over
6 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, 2.5 million Muslims in the United
7 States, and hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Washington state; and
8 WHEREAS, The American Muslim community is among the most racially
9 diverse faith groups in the United States and Washington state; and
10 WHEREAS, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar,
11 and the observance of it is one of the five core pillars of Islam;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, March 10, 2024, marks the commencement of Ramadan across
14 the globe, where healthy, adult Muslims abstain from things like
15 food, water, smoking, intimacy, and foul language from dawn to dusk
16 as a way to connect more meaningfully with their faith; and
17 WHEREAS, Fasting is seen as a way to practice empathy for others,
18 be more God-conscious, and cleanse the soul. It is a meaningful time
19 to heighten worship and devotion while also practicing deeper self-
20 reflection and self-restraint; and
21 WHEREAS, American Muslims, especially in Washington state,
22 contribute greatly to the community at large to help people from all
23 faiths by providing food to the hungry, refugee assimilation, medical
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 1 assistance, legal aide, family services, relief efforts, and more;
2 and
3 WHEREAS, Generosity is intensified during the holy month of
4 Ramadan, and Muslims are obliged to donate more to charitable
5 organizations and humanitarian efforts; and
6 WHEREAS, American Muslims have contributed greatly to the United
7 States, serving as medical professionals, teachers, first responders,
8 journalists, writers, artists, athletes, small business owners,
9 professors, activists, community leaders, and elected public
10 officials across government representing both major political
11 parties; and
12 WHEREAS, Opportunities to learn about this religious month,
13 practiced by Muslim Washingtonians, can help with community awareness
14 and tolerance; and
15 WHEREAS, Recognizing and honoring this holy month, the Islamic
16 faith, and contributions of the Muslim community can help reduce
17 stigma and help combat the steep rise in Islamophobia and contribute
18 to more social unity and community healing; and
19 WHEREAS, The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid Al-Fitr ("festival
20 of breaking the fast"), a three-day Islamic holiday that will take
21 place on April 9, 2024, or on the first day of the new moon sighting;
22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the senate of the state of
23 Washington support and respect the Muslim community, and proudly
24 acknowledge the Islamic faith and honor the experience of Muslim
25 Washingtonians, regardless of race, religion, immigration status, or
26 country of origin; and
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, We express our sincere best wishes to
28 Muslims across the state and throughout the world for a joyous and
29 meaningful observance of Ramadan during this significant month.
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