The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today acknowledged Ramadan greetings delivered during the House Floor Session in the Maryland General Assembly on Monday, March 11, by State Delegate Tiffany Alston.
Video: House Floor Remarks Welcoming Ramadan
Delegate Alston is one of eight cosponsors of House Joint Resolution HJ0002 introduced this legislative session by Delegate Gabriel Acevero. Marylanders have sent over 96,000 letters to state lawmakers and made at least hundreds of calls urging passage of the measure.
In her remarks, Delegate Alston said “Ramadan is needed now more than ever” in the world and asked for prayers for peace.
“We entered this month with our hearts in Gaza and the West Bank, mourning the genocide, famine and injustices against Palestinians,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “We’re also deeply troubled by the oppression of Uyghur Muslims, surging Hindu supremacy in India, the crisis in Sudan and conflicts abroad, while we continue to address injustices and advocate for our communities here at home. Ramadan greetings that are accompanied by constructive policies and actions are meaningful. We thank Delegate Alston for her kind wishes and support for the ceasefire resolution.”
Last week, CAIR issued a ceasefire-themed Ramadan toolkit containing resources for Maryland Muslims to exercise their rights while observing the holy month.
2024 Ramadan Toolkit (Maryland)
The toolkit includes actions community members can take to support the passing of SJ5/HJ2 ceasefire resolution in the Maryland General Assembly; template letters for workplace and student accommodations during Ramadan; and advocacy resources such as letters and resolutions urging elected officials to recognize Ramadan and Eid.
Recently, CAIR encouraged leaders of mosques and Islamic centers nationwide to question any relevant public officials who visit their facilities during the upcoming month of Ramadan about their stance on the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
[NOTE: Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and marital relations from the break of dawn to sunset. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on or about March 11. Because dates may vary, consult local mosques or Muslim community leaders for exact dates and times of the beginning and end of Ramadan. The end of Ramadan is marked with the Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast breaking” holiday, often referred to simply as “Eid.” Many communities hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the Eid prayers, which are often attended by public officials.]
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com