U. S. Muslims view holiday resolution as sign of acceptance: Congress commemorates Ramadan

U.S. Muslims are welcoming a congressional resolution commemorating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as an important, if symbolic, sign that they are gaining acceptance in America.

Still, conservative critics say the resolution is an exercise in political correctness.

Congress regularly passes resolutions commemorating holidays such as Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. But the vote on October 2 marked the first time that Congress had passed a resolution recognizing Ramadan, which ended October 12 this year.

The resolution was introduced by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D., Tex.) and cosponsored by 30 other representatives, including Keith Ellison (D., Minn.), Congress’s first elected Muslim.

“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,” the resolution reads.

Corey Saylor of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations said the resolution constitutes “recognition that American Muslims are becoming a part of the fabric of American society.”

Similar resolutions on Islam had been introduced in other years but never made it past the committee stage, Saylor said.

None of the representatives voted against the resolution—it passed 376-0—but a number of Republicans and one Democrat declined to vote for it.

“This resolution is an example of the degree to which political correctness has captured the political and media elite in this country,” said Representative Tom Tancredo (R., Colo.) in a statement. –Religion News Service