PRINTER'S NO. 961
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
143
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY STREET, DINNIMAN, FONTANA AND SCHWANK,
JUNE 14, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 14, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Observing June 25, 2017, as "Eid al-Fitr Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth, specifically Philadelphia, is
lauded as the nation's birthplace; and
WHEREAS, Founded by William Penn as an example of religious
tolerance and exemplified by language in the 1701 Charter of
Privileges which guaranteed religious freedom to all,
Philadelphia continues to be a pillar of religious acceptance;
and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is estimated to be home to more
than 300,000 Muslims; and
WHEREAS, Muslims recognize two major religious observances
each year, Ramadan and Hajj, each connected with the
corresponding holiday of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha; and
WHEREAS, The Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are observed
according to the lunar-based Islamic calendar; and
WHEREAS, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the
Islamic month of Shawwal and marks the end of Ramadan, which is
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a month of fasting and prayer; and
WHEREAS, In addition to celebrating the end of fasting with
great feasts, many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a
sermon known as khutbah and give Zakat al-fitr, which is charity
in the form of food; and
WHEREAS, Eid al-Adha also known as the "Greater Eid," is
celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah
to commemorate the millions of Muslims participating in the
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, by attending communal prayers,
listening to a khutbah and in the spirit of sacrifice, offering
food to be distributed to other less fortunate neighbors in the
community; and
WHEREAS, Islam in America is a moral and religious system
that encourages self-determination, self-development, moral
discipline and community empowerment based on virtues of
freedom, justice and equality in many ways similar to the
ideology of William Penn; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate to observe June 25, 2017, as "Eid
al-Fitr Day" in Pennsylvania.
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