Councilmember Raman Introduces Resolution In Celebration Of The Upcoming Holy Month Of Ramadan

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2022

COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN INTRODUCES RESOLUTION IN CELEBRATION OF THE UPCOMING HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN

LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday, City Councilmember Nithya Raman introduced a commendatory resolution in celebration of the upcoming observance of Ramadan. 

“For the Muslim community — including thousands of Angelenos — the holy month of Ramadan is a time to fast, renew, and strive for growth, spiritual consciousness, and compassion, as well as gather to share equity-oriented visions in a common and inclusive space,” said Councilmember Raman. “In these tenuous times where hatred, oppression, and loss seem ever-present, we can learn from the practices and reflections of Ramadan as we navigate towards a more just City and world. I wish a meaningful month ahead to all those observing, and share gratitude for reminding us of the grounding values of community, commitment, and giving. Ramadan Mubarak!”

The complete text of Councilmember Raman’s resolution in recognition of this year’s observance of Ramadan is as follows: 

WHEREAS, Islam is one of the world’s largest religions and one of three Abrahamic faiths; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 1,800,000,000 Muslims worldwide and 500,000 throughout Southern California alone; and

WHEREAS, Islamic civilization and culture have made significant contributions to the arts, sciences, education, architecture, and other fields; and

WHEREAS, Muslims have been a part of the social and historical fabric of the United States for almost 500 years, since the first Muslims arrived to this land as slaves; and

WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles is one of the most multicultural places in the world and is home to ethnically and racially diverse Muslim communities from around the world whose faith is welcome here; and

WHEREAS, Muslims believe that God revealed the first verses of the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred text, to the Prophet Muhammad during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; and

WHEREAS, Ramadan is a time of fasting, spiritual discipline and renewal, and increased God-consciousness, charity, and generosity for Muslims worldwide; and

WHEREAS, one of the main purposes of fasting during Ramadan is for Muslims to gain a better understanding of the plight faced by those who are less fortunate and recommit to working toward social justice; and

WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles declared July 2014 as Los Angeles Muslim Heritage Month through a previous resolution; and

WHEREAS, the traditional breaking of the fast, the Iftar, has been hosted at Los Angeles City Hall countless times with members of all faith traditions sharing meals, stories, and equity-oriented visions in a common and inclusive space; and

WHEREAS, Ramadan will likely commence at dusk on Saturday, April 2 and will last for a lunar month;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, with the concurrence of the Mayor, that by the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Los Angeles hereby celebrates the upcoming observance of Ramadan and wishes the Muslim community Ramadan Mubarak.

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