(PHILADELPHIA & PITTSBURGH, PA, 5/4/2023) – The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pennsylvania) and Emgage Pennsylvania today expressed support for the HB789-790 bill package at the Pennsylvania State House that seeks to designate Eid al-Fitr as an official state holiday.
The package amends the act of May 31, 1893 (P.L.0188, No.0138), known as the Legal Holiday Law, and the Banking Code of 1965.
In a memo accompanying the bill, Chief Sponsor Rep. Carol Kazeem was joined by co-sponsors Rep. Tarik Khan and Rep. Jason Dawkins – both Muslim American members of the Pennsylvania State House. The memo notes: “Pennsylvania has a rich cultural history of diversity and was founded on the principles of religious freedom and tolerance. Given this heritage, it is imperative that we take the time to expand the range of holidays recognized in our state. That is why we plan to introduce a package of bills to officially designate Eid al-Fitr as a state holiday in Pennsylvania.”
CAIR-Pennsylvania and Emgage Pennsylvania have announced a call to action to Pennsylvania Muslims to mobilize in support of the bill. The joint call to action asks Pennsylvania Muslims to:
- Call their respective State Representatives to cosponsor this legislation. Find your representative.
- Call members of the House Government Committee to pass this in committee so that it can head to the house floor for a full vote.
In a joint statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu and CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed said:
“We welcome this important step and urge our communities to call their elected representatives in support of this key step that would signify a crucial step forward to make Pennsylvania truly inclusive and representative.”
“This is an important and exciting development for the state of Pennsylvania,” said Salima Suswell, Emgage Pennsylvania Executive Director. “I look forward to working with CAIR-Pennsylvania and members of our community to show our support and to getting this onto Governor Shapiro’s desk.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu; atekelioglu@cair.com; 617-401-5397 CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed; cmohamed@cair.com; 412-606-3601; Emgage National Director of Communications Emily Churchill; press@emgageusa.org
