PRINTER'S NO. 2795

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

352

Session of

2024

INTRODUCED BY KHAN, FRANKEL, WAXMAN, KAZEEM, FREEMAN, GREEN,

SHUSTERMAN, SIEGEL, SOLOMON, SCHLOSSBERG, SALISBURY, GERGELY,

SANCHEZ, VENKAT, RABB, KINSEY, HADDOCK, McNEILL, PIELLI,

Designating the month of July 2024 as "Muslim Heritage and

Appreciation Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth takes great pride in the varied

religious and cultural traditions of its residents and seeks to

afford all residents the opportunity to better understand,

recognize and appreciate the rich histories, cultures and shared

principles of Muslim Americans; and

WHEREAS, Muslims are the world's second-largest religious

group, with more than 2 billion adherents, representing

approximately 25% of the world's population; and

American Muslims, immigrants and native-born Americans, and

represent approximately 1.2% of the country's population; and

WHEREAS, The history of Muslims in the United States dates

back to before the country's founding, originating with enslaved

Africans, of whom scholars estimate as many as 30% were Muslim,

who brought Islamic beliefs and practices with them and

contributed in numerous ways to the founding of the nation,

including courageous and dedicated military service in every

major American war from the Revolutionary War until today; and

WHEREAS, The long presence of African-American Muslim

WHEREAS, Muslim Americans strive to promote peace and mutual

understanding between all faiths and identities while upholding

the values and principles of Islam and those of the United

States; and

WHEREAS, There are hundreds of thousands of Muslim Americans

in this Commonwealth, representing one of the largest Muslim

American populations of any state in the United States,

including numerous current and former elected officials

dedicated to public service in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Incidents of anti-Muslim violence and rhetoric are

engagement, culture and business of Muslim Americans and Muslim-

American organizations that operate in this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth recognizes the positive impact

Muslims have made, and continue to make, to the advancement of

this Commonwealth and the nation; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to acknowledge and promote

awareness and appreciation of the myriad invaluable

contributions of American Muslims in this Commonwealth and

across the country, and extend to them the respect and

camaraderie every American deserves; therefore be it

community.