LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 6, 2016, as Anti-Islamophobia Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and, in
the year 2016 it begins on June 6th; and
WHEREAS, International events have led to an increase in hate crimes
and negative rhetoric throughout our Nation and in New York State
against those who identify as Muslim, or those perceived to be Muslim;
and
WHEREAS, The term Islamophobia is a 20th Century addition to our Amer-
ican popular culture's vernacular, in part, because of reactionary and
misguided hate crimes which are driven by an ever-increasing prevalence
of anti-Muslim rhetoric in the form of misinformation about Islam and
negative stereotypes; and
WHEREAS, The victims of anti-Muslim hate crimes and rhetoric have
faced physical, verbal, and emotional abuse because they were Muslim or
believed to be Muslim; and
WHEREAS, There are thousands of citizens in New York State who identi-
fy themselves as Muslim, a community made up of many diverse beliefs and
cultures, and both immigrants and native-born New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, New York State's Muslim community is recognized as having
made innumerable contributions to the cultural and economic fabric and
well-being of our society; and
WHEREAS, Hateful and intolerant acts against Muslims, or those
perceived to be Muslim, are contrary to the American values of accept-
ance, welcoming, and fellowship with those of all faiths, beliefs, and
cultures; and
WHEREAS, The constitutional right to freedom of religious practice is
a cherished American value and violence or hate speech towards any
community based on their faith is in contravention of our founding prin-
ciples; and
WHEREAS, These acts affect not only the individual victims but also
their families, communities, and the entire group whose faith or beliefs
were the motivation for the act; and
WHEREAS, Muslim women who wear hijabs, headscarves, or other religious
articles of clothing have been disproportionately targeted because of
their religious clothing, articles, or observances; and
WHEREAS, Religious extremism that promotes violence or bigotry in the
name of faith is not the property of any specific faith and must be
opposed in all its forms whenever undertaken by any member of any faith;
and
WHEREAS, We are steadfast in our dedication to the rights and dignity
of every New York State citizens of all faiths, beliefs, and cultures;
and
WHEREAS, We are dedicated in belief and in law that the civil rights
and civil liberties of the diverse citizens of New York State should be
protected and preserved; and
WHEREAS, We affirm that our diversity is a symbol of our strength as a
State and as a Nation; and
WHEREAS, We reject Islamophobia in all forms; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 6, 2016, as Anti-
Islamophobia Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.