PRINTER'S NO. 867
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
146
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY STREET, COLLETT, FONTANA, LEACH, SANTARSIERO,
KEARNEY, FARNESE, HUGHES, MUTH AND TARTAGLIONE, JUNE 4, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 4, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Observing June 4, 2019, as "Eid al-Fitr Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth, specifically Philadelphia, is
lauded as the birthplace of the nation; 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 corresponding to the
respective 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, The month of Ramadan is comprised of good deeds,
donation and sacrifice, in an attempt to receive thawab, which
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is spiritual merit rewarded by Allah for good deeds; and
WHEREAS, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated as a rejuvenation of the
religion on the first day of Shawwal and marks the end of
Ramadan, which is a month dedicated to fasting and prayer; and
WHEREAS, In addition to celebrating the end of fasting with
great feasts, many Muslims pay Zakat al-Fitr, which is an act of
obligatory charity; attend congregational prayers; and listen to
a communal sermon known as khutbah to ask for Allah's
forgiveness and continual blessings; and
WHEREAS, Eid al-Fitr is also typically celebrated by wearing
new, fine clothing, visiting familial relatives, and gifting
food or its monetary value to those who are less fortunate,
thereby engaging in thankful revelation in the good fortune that
has been bestowed upon you by Allah; and
WHEREAS, Islam in the United States is a moral and religious
system that encourages self-determination, self-development,
moral discipline and community empowerment based on the virtues
of freedom, justice and equality, which are in many ways similar
to the ideology of William Penn; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate observe June 4, 2019, as "Eid al-
Fitr Day" in Pennsylvania.
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