HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

79

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

proclaimING november 21, 2009, as islam day.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, Hawaii is known for the wealth of its cultural diversity and the harmony with which people of many cultures and religions live together; and

 

     WHEREAS, Muslims constitute an ethnically diverse part of Hawaii's cultural fabric, with around 3,000 practicing members; and

 

     WHEREAS, November 21, 2009, marks the anniversary of the founding of Islam, a religion with a long and noble history; and

 

     WHEREAS, Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with over one billion followers spread across every continent, and including members of many nations and many cultures; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Islamic world preserved works of science and philosophy during the Middle Ages when these disciplines were threatened by bigotry and prejudice in other parts of the world; and

 

     WHEREAS, Islamic artists, scientists, and philosophers have a rich history of contribution to world literature and our collective scientific understanding; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Islamic faith incorporates the teachings and texts of both Christianity and Judaism, whose followers are respected and considered "People of the Book"; and

 

     WHEREAS, Islamic doctrine encourages generosity in its adherents, maintaining that those who possess much have a responsibility to care for those in need; and

 

     WHEREAS, Islam is a religion of peace, along with its monotheistic counterparts, and holds that peace is a divine quality and necessary for collective human happiness; and

 

     WHEREAS, Islam strives for a world-wide community which, in the words of one Islamic poet-philosopher, "does not recognize the superficial differences of race, or history, or nationality"; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States and countries of the Islamic world hold in common many beliefs and values including concepts of world community and mutual responsibility; and

 

     WHEREAS, international understanding and peace, as well as understanding and peace in our local communities are strengthened by free and open communications among everyone representing various cultural and religious traditions; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that November 21, 2009, shall be known as "Islam Day" to recognize the rich religious, scientific, cultural, and artistic contribution Islam and the Islamic world has made since its founding; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Board of the Muslim Association of Hawaii.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Islam Day