The controversial Council on American Islamic Relations is urging Congress to pass a resolution officially recognizing the Islamic fast of Ramadan.

CAIR advised American Muslims to "blitz" their elected representatives with phone calls and urge them to pass the resolution honoring the Muslim holy month.

A portion of the resolution, which would express the opinion of Congress, reads: "In observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion."

CAIR calls the resolution "an important tool for encouraging dialogue between Muslims and their elected officials, as well as enhancing understanding of the Islamic faith.

In 2003, then-Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich took part in a Ramadan iftar – a meal celebrating the breaking of the fast – on Capitol Hill hosted by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. The event was co-sponsored by Reps. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., Kucinich, Conyers, D-Ohio, Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., and Barbara Lee, D-Calif.

At least one elected official, Meeks, had second thoughts about participating in the CAIR event. When questioned about his attendance at a CAIR dinner, he told the New York Sun: "I don't want to be associated with anyone who condones suicide bombers, anti-Semitism, or any group that condones the extremism in Islam." He added, "I'm going to do some checking into this right now. I am going to talk to some of my colleagues, particularly some of my Jewish colleagues."

CAIR is a spin-off of the Islamic Association for Palestine, identified by two former FBI counterterrorism chiefs as a "front group" for Hamas. Several CAIR leaders have been convicted on terror-related charges.

Although CAIR signed a fatwa, or decree, condemning terrorism in general, the group repeatedly has attacked the prosecutions of Islamic terrorists arrested or convicted since 9-11 and the government's freezing of Islamic terrorist fronts, calling it a "war against Islam" by the United States.

CAIR's new resolution reads:

"Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.

"Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of the Islamic faith;

"Whereas on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York, New York, and Washington, D.C.;

"Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 Muslims worldwide;

"Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and

"Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on October 15*, 2005, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it

"Resolved, That –

"(1) during this time of conflict, in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; and

"(2) in observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion."

*Note: This is an early copy, Ramadan 2005 is expected to commence October 4th or 5th.

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