John,

We’re approaching the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims around the world.

Last year, I introduced a resolution in Congress to recognize Eid al-Fitr, the observance of the conclusion of Ramadan, and to offer best wishes and support to all Muslims celebrating.

This year, it’s not a celebration, as we do all we can to stop the brutal devastation in Gaza. At community iftars and while breaking daily fasts with family, our Muslim neighbors are thinking about Palestinian children who are dying from intentional starvation.

Despite the UN Security Council passing a binding resolution for a ceasefire in the last few weeks of Ramadan, the Israeli government continues to bomb Gaza.

This is a violation of international law, as is the flagrant disregard for the International Court of Justice’s orders to stop genocidal acts. But the Biden administration continues to send weapons anyway, and just last week authorized a transfer of weapons including “bunker buster” bombs that flatten entire neighborhoods.

We must value life here and around the world, including honoring the humanity of Arab and Muslim people. That’s what my congressional resolution recognizing Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr starts to do.

The resolution recognizes that over 200 elected officials identify as Muslim, there are 1.2 million Muslim voters in the U.S., and American Muslims have contributed to every part of society including making advancements in medicine, education, science, and more.

It includes language about the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing the importance of the Islamic faith, demonstrating solidarity with and support for Muslims, and expressing deep respect and best wishes to Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

In a time of rising Islamophobia and dehumanization, when people are using Muslims’ mere existence in the U.S. to fear-monger, passing this resolution would be significant.

Can you sign on as a grassroots co-sponsor of my Congressional resolution that recognizes Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, and calls on Congress to respect Muslims?

Thank you. Together we will keep building toward equity and dignity for all people.

In solidarity,

Rashida

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rashida Tlaib
Date: Sat, Apr 6, 2024
Subject: Sign on today to support my resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr and honoring our Muslim neighbors
To: [email protected]

John,

For Muslims around the world, we are in the holiest time of Ramadan, which is the holiest month of the year. It has been one of the hardest Ramadan months that I can remember.

As many know, Ramadan is a month for solidarity and empathy with impoverished and oppressed people, including taking actions like feeding hungry people.

As our Muslim neighbors break daily fasts with family and communities, many Muslims are grieving and horrified as the Israeli government intentionally starves millions of people in Gaza. They can't eat without thinking of starvation being used as a weapon of war in Gaza.

We’re seeing images of Muslims in Gaza praying among the rubble because their mosques were destroyed. Even during Easter, seeing the beloved Christian Palestinians in Gaza celebrate among the wreckage. Many have had to bury their loved ones during this genocide.

Last year, I introduced a resolution in Congress to recognize Eid al-Fitr, the observance of the conclusion of Ramadan. It is even more important to bring this recognition to Congress as others use our mere existence in the U.S. for political games and fear-mongering.

I still remember a colleague in Congress from New Jersey yell out, “They are all guilty,” referring to the Muslim community.

Our own lawmakers continue to make violent, dehumanizing, and genocidal statements, like the U.S. Congressperson from Michigan who recently called to repeat the unimaginable horrors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima by dropping nuclear weapons on Gaza.

This devaluation of life is not only dangerous for the human beings suffering in Palestine, but it’s also dangerous for Palestinian Americans, Muslim Americans, and Arab Americans, who are facing increased Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate.

My congressional resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr also recognizes the contributions of American Muslims to our society. It calls on the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the importance of the Islamic faith, to demonstrate solidarity with and support for Muslims, and to express deep respect and best wishes to Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

Will you sign on today to support my resolution in Congress to recognize Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr—and to respect Muslims’ humanity?

Thank you for helping build a world with equity and dignity for all, no matter our backgrounds.

In solidarity,

Rashida