Senate Resolution No. 1647

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 9, 2024, as Eid al-Fitr Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those who
foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which
strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 9, 2024, Eid al-Fitr Day in the
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Eid al-Fitr also called the Festival of Breaking the Fast,
is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the
end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan; and

WHEREAS, This religious Eid is the only day in the month of Shawwal
during which Muslims are not permitted to fast; the date for the start
of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by
local religious authorities, so the day of celebration varies by
locality; furthermore, the holiday is widely called Korite in West
Africa; and

WHEREAS, Eid al-Fitr has a particular salat (Islamic prayer) that
consists of two rakats (units) generally performed in an open field or
large hall; it may only be performed in congregation and features six
additional Takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying "God
is the greatest") in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam: three at the
start of the first rakat and three just before ruku in the second rakat;
and

WHEREAS, Other Sunni schools have twelve Takbirs, similarly split in
groups of seven and five; in Shia Islam, the salat has six Takbirs in
the first rakat at the end of qira'a, before ruku, and five in the
second; depending on the juristic opinion of the locality, this salat is
either fard (obligatory), mustahabb (strongly recommended) or mandub
(preferable); and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to acknowledge various
cultures of people who add to the overall diversity of our State and, on
this occasion, we take the opportunity to recognize the contributions
made by Muslims and extend best wishes to all of its members as they
hold appropriate ceremonies to commemorate this milestone; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 9, 2024, as Eid
al-Fitr Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.