Senate Resolution No. 718

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 2021, as Muslim History Month 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2021, as Muslim History Month
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of the
First International Muslim History Month; and

WHEREAS, International Muslim History Month was founded by Nazma
Khan in 2021, to dismantle Islamophobia globally; this inspirational
woman also established World Hijab Day (WHD) in recognition of millions
of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty,
and to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women
(non-Hijabi Muslims/non-Muslims) to experience the hijab for one day;
and

WHEREAS, International Muslim History Month was established to
educate Muslims of New York and around the world of authentic Islamic
history, the events, the personalities, and the contributions which
changed society, in the hope all Muslims can bridge their relationship
with their non-Muslim neighbors through education and understanding; and

WHEREAS, The history of the Muslim faith is full of wonder, built
upon the shoulders of giants whose courage did not waver at the thought
of being a paradigmatic threat; its past is filled with dreamers,
believers, men and women of imagination and innovation; and

WHEREAS, Some notable contributions which have daily impacts on
modern civilization include: Ibn al-Haitham's scholarship established
fundamental principles of optics including the connection between the
optic nerve and the brain in the First Century A.D.; algebra originated
in Al-Khwarizmi's Kitab al-Jabr Wal-Mugabala, the Book of Reasoning and
Balancing; Al-Zahrawi's illustrated medical encyclopedia was in wide use
for over 500 years; teaching hospitals as we know them originated in 9th
Century Egypt; Fatima al-Firhi established the first-degree granting
university in Fez, now in Morocco; in the 9th Century, Abbas ibn Firnas
was the first human to successfully achieve flight; and coffee was first
brewed in Yemen in the 9th Century; and

WHEREAS, Currently, there are Muslim legislators serving in both the
New York State Assembly and Senate; and

WHEREAS, International Muslim History Month provides an excellent
means by which all New Yorkers can learn more about the rich Muslim
heritage, while fostering an appreciation for this ancient culture among
future generations; 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 the Muslim-American community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2021, as Muslim
History Month in the State of New York; and be it further

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