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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Ramadan, the ninth month of the year on the Islamic |
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calendar, is a time when Muslims in Texas and around the world focus |
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on peace and self-improvement; and |
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WHEREAS, On the Muslim lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan |
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begins and ends with the sighting of the crescent moon; Muslims |
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affirm their spiritual beliefs by fasting from sunrise to sunset, a |
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practice that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; it cultivates |
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self-discipline, gratitude, and compassion for those less |
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fortunate; and |
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WHEREAS, Fasting is a requirement of all Muslims who have |
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passed the threshold of puberty, with exemptions for those with |
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certain conditions, such as pregnancy or illness; each day of |
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abstention from eating and drinking is bracketed by the first meal |
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of the day, Suhoor, and the meal that breaks the fast, Iftar; many |
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mosques host daily community dinners where people can break their |
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fast together; families often invite guests to Iftar and then |
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proceed to the mosque for the nightly prayer and a special Ramadan |
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prayer, taraweeh, during which the prayer leader recites at least |
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one thirtieth of the Qur'an, in order to recite the entire Qur'an by |
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the end of the month; and |
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WHEREAS, Ramadan is a time of intense reflection and |
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spiritual rejuvenation, with more precious moments devoted to |
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reading the Qur'an and performing appropriate prayers; moreover, |
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adherents participate in charitable giving, and many mosques hold |
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food drives and fundraisers for philanthropic organizations; some |
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mosques host open houses to welcome friends and neighbors of other |
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faiths to share the bounty of Iftar; and |
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WHEREAS, The end of Ramadan is marked by a major holiday, Eid |
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ul-Fitr; a special prayer and sermon in the morning are followed by |
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a community celebration, and friends and family spend the day |
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socializing, eating, and reuniting with old acquaintances; food, |
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games, and presents for children are important elements of the |
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festivities; and |
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WHEREAS, While concentrating on spiritual growth during |
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Ramadan, Muslims also strengthen the bonds of community and express |
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their faith through efforts in behalf of the collective good, and it |
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is truly fitting to acknowledge the deep significance of this |
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important season; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the holy month of Ramadan 2023 and |
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extend to Muslims across the Lone Star State sincere best wishes for |
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a meaningful and joyous observance. |