The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the Takoma Park City Council voting unanimously in favor of a ceasefire resolution at a hearing during which 50 witnesses testified in favor of the measure.
Video: Takoma Park City Council Unanimously Votes for Ceasefire Resolution
Takoma Park joins Montgomery, Howard and Anne Arundel Counties who have expressed support in recent weeks for a Gaza ceasefire in Maryland.
The civil rights group also denounced House Rules Committee Chair Anne Healey’s refusal to bring House Joint Resolution HJ0002 to a vote in committee in the Maryland General Assembly.
Research from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a think tank with offices in Washington, D.C. and Dearborn, MI, shows that the overwhelming majority of Muslims, and Jewish democrats favor a ceasefire.
SEE: Majority of Muslim and Jewish Democrats Favor a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza
“This vote was the latest indication of a groundswell of support for ceasefire in solidarity with protecting innocent lives,” said CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry. “The passage of this resolution is a testimony to the dedication and perseverance of advocates and community members who are relentlessly mobilizing for justice and will not be ignored.”
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 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