House Democrats Salute Ramadan

This article first appeared in New English Review.

Hat tip Counter Jihad Coalition


Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) has introduced a resolution in Congress saluting the US Muslim community during Ramadan. She was joined by Andre Carson (D-IN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and others. Naturally, it has the enthusiastic support of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization with connections to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

It is interesting to note that this has 24 signatures-all Democrats. The list includes Katie Porter (D-CA) who is my representative in Congress. (I didn't vote for her.)

I have a resolution: Since we have something called separation of church and state, how about our Congress refrains from these kinds of salutes or whatever you call them-for all religions? As a  Christian, I would be perfectly happy if Congress took no note of Christmas or Easter, and I think most Jews would have no problem if Congress didn't send them any messages on Passover.  We simply allow all religions to practice their faiths as long as they do not intrude upon the rights of others.

I am absolutely not advocating that Ramadan be banned. Unfortunately, due to world events, this kind of  resolution will be perceived by many different people in different ways. Rightfully or wrongfully, some are going to take it as a sign of submission.

I concede this is a slippery and complex issue. Do we do away with the White House lighting up the big Christmas tree? Do we do away with the President pardoning the turkey on Thanksgiving? I say no because for one, they are innocuous, and secondly, if we start canceling our traditional practices that have religious overtones (Christian or Jewish), that would also be perceived by many-rightfully or  wrongfully- as a form of submission (to you know what). We have already seen things like this around the world. Just this week, an historic old cathedral in Spain was taken over by a group, apparently without any authorization, who blasted the call to prayer over loudspeakers to celebrate Ramadan.

As always, I take care not to paint all Muslims with the brush of terrorism and intolerance. However, as long as churches are burning in places like Egypt, Pakistan, and Western Europe, as long as Jews are being subjected to insults and violence from Muslim immigrants in Europe, as long as religious minorities are being persecuted in just about every Muslim-majority land you can name, I am not interested in "celebrating" Ramadan. I would also prefer that our elected representatives not waste tax-payer money and time producing these kinds of salutes.