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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Islamophobia, defined as irrational fear, hatred, |
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or discrimination directed at Islam and Muslims, has led to an |
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increased incidence of hate crimes and acts of intolerance in the |
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United States and around the world; and |
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WHEREAS, March 15 marks the anniversary of the 2019 |
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Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, an act of terror that |
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resulted in the deaths of 51 innocent worshippers; this tragic |
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event occurred amid a surge in anti-Muslim violence and underscores |
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the urgent need to address Islamophobic hate and promote interfaith |
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understanding; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is home to a diverse population, which |
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includes a vibrant and growing Muslim community that has made |
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significant contributions to the social, cultural, and economic |
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fabric of the state; in recent years, its members have been forced |
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to deal with alarming incidents of violence, intolerance, and |
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bigotry; and |
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WHEREAS, On January 28, 2017, the Victoria Islamic Center was |
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the target of an arson attack that destroyed the place of worship |
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and deeply impacted the local Muslim community; and |
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WHEREAS, On May 19, 2024, a hate crime was committed against a |
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Muslim woman and her two children at a public swimming pool in |
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Euless; the attacker interrogated the woman in a racially charged |
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manner before assaulting the woman's six-year-old son and |
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attempting to drown her three-year-old daughter; both children |
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survived, thanks to the efforts of the mother and a bystander; and |
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WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are hundreds of |
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Islamophobic incidents in Texas each year, and that many more go |
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unreported; and |
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WHEREAS, The designation of a Day to Combat Islamophobia will |
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serve to reinforce the importance of fostering mutual |
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understanding, interfaith dialogue, and respect for all religious |
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communities; moreover, the observance offers a fitting opportunity |
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to promote educational initiatives, policy discussions, and other |
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forms of community engagement to counter Islamophobia and encourage |
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inclusivity; and |
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WHEREAS, Through this observance, the State of Texas is |
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reaffirming its commitment to standing against all forms of hatred, |
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bigotry, and discrimination and protecting the civil rights and |
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religious freedoms of all of its residents; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate March 15 as the Day to Combat Islamophobia; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of |
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Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in |
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effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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finally passed by the legislature. |