On July 1st, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) hosted the 11th Annual Capitol Ramadan Reception. This annual event commemorating the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan drew over 200 attendees, including state elected officials, community members, and interfaith leaders to break the fast with one another at the California State Capitol.
This year’s Capitol Ramadan Reception was co-hosted by over 55 Assembly members and Senators, who also co-authored the Member Resolution. The Resolution congratulated California’s Muslim community on commencing Ramadan and also for their “contributions to the fabric of the State of California.”
This year’s Reception included addresses by Zaytuna College Co-Founder Imam Zaid Shakir and State Board of Equalization Board member Betty Yee, as well as the presentation of the Resolution by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson. Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, along with several other legislators.
“CAIR-CA’s Annual Capitol Iftar is a momentous event that draws together Muslim community leaders and our state legislative representatives to break bread and commemorate the holy month of Ramadan,” said CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra. “The support of elected officials in co-hosting the Iftar and in co-authoring the Resolution sends a message to the over 800,000 Californian Muslims that they are part of the State of California and that their achievements are recognized.”
[NOTE: Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the “five pillars” of Islam.]