Reps. Paletko, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Bieda, Clack, Ehardt, Farhat, Garfield, Gieleghem, Hopgood, Huizenga, Jamnick, Law, Lipsey, McConico, Minore, Mortimer, O'Neil, Pappageorge, Sak, Shulman, Spade, Stallworth, Stewart, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Waters, Woronchak, Zelenko, Dennis, Brown, Byrum, Plakas, Gleason, Murphy and Phillips offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 174.

            A resolution honoring Michigan's Muslim sisters and brothers during the holy month of Ramadan.

            Whereas, We have entered the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim calendar; and

            Whereas, The celebration of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam; and

            Whereas, During this month in which God sent the holy book, the Qu’ran, down from heaven, Muslims around the world unite in celebration and revelation, beginning with the observation of the moon after a new moon.  This holy month is marked with worship, spiritual faith through prayer, intensive study of the Qu’ran, and celebration of God, family, and community; and

            Whereas, The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic words for “sun-baked ground” and “parched thirst,” which signify the Earth, scorched from the heat of the sun.  For Muslims, this period of fasting during daylight hours, and by offering words of prayer throughout these most holy days, is a time of self-purification.  The hunger and thirst from fasting offer followers full concentration on God and the tenets of the Muslim faith, just as the Earth embraces the heat of the sun; and

            Whereas, There is much that we can learn and understand from our Muslim sisters and brothers.  Most importantly we may know that Islam is a religion of peace, family, and community.  As Muslim families celebrate Ramadan, let us all remember the strength and discipline that faith offers each of our lives and the lives of others; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor our Muslim sisters and brothers during the holy month of Ramadan.