15 November 2001

Representatives' Remarks on Islam, Ramadan in the U.S.

Five Members of the U.S. House of Representatives marked the beginning of Ramadan by noting that Islam is one of the great religions of the United States. Their remarks, made on the floor of the House during the November 15 House session, followed an opening prayer and readings from the Koran by Muslim Imam Yahya Hendi.

The five Representatives, representing New York, Ohio and Michigan, extended Ramadan greetings to Muslims in the United States, and around the world. Describing Islam as "a religion of peace and progress," Representative John Dingell said Islam "is not only one of the world's great religions, but it is one of the great American religions."

Following is the transcript of their remarks.

Rep. John J. Lafalce (d-ny): As we begin Ramadan, we are especially pleased to have a Muslim Imam give our opening prayer to the House of Representatives, and I am honored to welcome Imam Yahya Hendi as our guest chaplain this morning, and I thank him very much for those inspiring words and reading from the Koran.

Imam Hendi currently serves as the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University, which is where I first heard him. He also serves as spokesman and member of the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of North America and directs the PEACE Office of the Muslim American Society. Now an American citizen, Imam Hendi was born in Nablus in the Palestinian territories and educated at the University of Jordan in Amman and the Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. He was one of the Muslim leaders who met with President Bush in the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy.

I asked Chaplain Dan Coughlin to invite Imam Hendi to deliver our opening prayer today to mark the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal. Observance of Ramadan begins tomorrow evening at dusk and fasting will commence at sunrise on Saturday.

There are 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, including almost 7 million in the United States alone. And during these troubled times, I believe it is important to show all Muslims and the world our goodwill toward the Muslim community and our respect for the Islamic faith.

Again, our thanks and appreciation to Imam Yahya Hendi for offering our opening prayer this morning.

Rep. Benjamin Gilman (r-ny): Mr. Speaker, I'm delighted to join in welcoming visiting Chaplain Imam Hendi as we greet the onset of the holy month of Ramadan. Islam is a way of life for millions of Americans, and we in the Congress want them and all Americans to know that our nation's view that Islam should be understood as a faith that firmly upholds the values of respect for the individual human being, the value of the family and justice for all. We join the growing American Muslim community in condemning those who try to tell us otherwise and who commit crimes against humanity in the name of Islam. Congress has expressed itself formally in condemnation of those who in the wake of the events of September 11 took illegal actions against people solely because they were or seemed to be Muslims. Moreover, we support the President in his forthright expressions against all such illegal actions, his prosecution of those who commit such crimes. And we join the President, President Bush's assurances that our efforts in Operation Enduring Freedom against terrorism are not directed against Islam or against Muslims.

Mr. Speaker, to the contrary, we embrace our fellow citizens who are Muslims and all those of the Muslim faith who are temporary or permanent residents here as adherents of one of the three great religions in the monotheistic tradition.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this holy month, we extend our warmest greetings to the American Muslim community and wish them a blessed Ramadan.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (d-ohio): Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the New Democratic Caucus Working Group on Central Asia and the Middle East, please let me warmly welcome Imam Yahya Hendi to our people's house. His prayer ascends to the God of us all who shows the straight way, the way of those on whom grace is bestowed and whose portion is not wrath, so we will not go astray.

Mr. Speaker, I am fortunate to represent a region of our nation where Muslims for generations, along with faith-filled people from all denominations and those of secular persuasion, have joined together in an inter-faith mission to promote tolerance, understanding and to advance social justice. We have built homes for the poor for Habitat for Humanity. We worked together in the campaign to erase hatred. Ours is a peaceful community and a patriotic community.

Indeed, in my district, Muslims have made history. They have become prominent citizens in all walks of life - medicine, engineering, law, business, education and entertainment. Our citizens built the first mosque in Ohio and the third in our nation. And just after September 11, people of faith joined hands around our Perrysburg mosque in a strong show of unity with our common bond to the creator of us all.

During the upcoming Ramadan, Christmas and Hanukkah seasons, may our national mosaic be shaped by people who have come here willingly from throughout the world, and may it shine beautifully as an example of how people can live together with respect for one another and without fear.

Rep. David E. Bonior (d-michigan): Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. For nearly 7 million Muslims in America and more than one billion worldwide, this is a period of introspection and faith. As Muslims prepare for the daily fasts, they begin a month of deep spiritual and communal observance. Like many things related to Islam in America, Ramadan is not well understood by most Americans.

The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." Some say the word expresses the hunger and thirst felt by those who spent the month in fasting. And others suggest that it is so called because during Ramadan, hearts and souls are more readily receptive to the admonition and remembrance of God, just as sand and stone are receptive to the sun's heat. Ramadan is a beautiful word that truly captures the spiritual and physical renewal of this most treasured time for Muslims. Americans have benefited immensely from learning more about these traditions.

I join my colleagues today in sending them our message of solidarity and warm greetings for a blessed beginning to the holy month of Ramadan for all Muslims here at home and around the world.

Rep. John Dingell (d-michigan): Mr. Speaker, it's highly appropriate that we welcome Imam Yahya Hendi. This body represents all Americans and it is extremely appropriate then that we should welcome the Imam today to help celebrate the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, which is set to begin tomorrow.

Islam is not only one of the world's great religions, but it is one of the great American religions. American Muslims have immigrated to this country from all corners of the globe, and in all parts of the United States Muslims are valued integral members of our communities. It is an honor for me to represent the largest Arab-American community in the United States. As Ramadan begins, I extend my personal greetings to all Muslim Americans, particularly my friends and constituents in Michigan's 16th District.

Mr. Speaker, I also send best wishes to our Muslim friends and allies in the Middle East and South Asia, as well as Muslims in all corners of the world. And to our allies in the Islamic world, I would also like to express my gratitude for their friendship, particularly at this difficult time. As President Bush has pointed out, the United States is not at war with Islam. We're at war with terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, some of what has been said over the last couple of months has painted a highly inaccurate picture of Islam. Islam is not a religion of division and intolerance, but rather a religion which values diversity and understanding. It is above all else a religion of peace and progress. America must not tolerate injustices committed out of ignorance against any group of Americans, particularly against Muslim Americans who share with us the horror of the events of September 11, which to them were particularly offensive because the Muslim community feels it was grossly improper that the perpetrators expressly tried to use that faith as excuse for a horrible crime. In this month of introspection, faith, prayer, and cleansing, I again wish to relay my greetings and best wishes to the Muslims in southeast Michigan and the United States, as well as all the Muslims in the world.