PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO
CELEBRATING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN
WHEREAS, the City of East Palo Alto boasts a small but growing Muslim community representing a wide array of backgrounds, from African Americans, to Arabs, and other nationalities, as well as those who grew up Muslim, as well as converts; and
WHEREAS, the Bay Area has one of the highest concentrations of Muslims in the nation with approximately 250,000 residents from ethnically diverse backgrounds; and WHEREAS, Muslims represent small business owners, city staff and officials, civic leaders, and residents that have enriched East Palo Alto’s historically multiethnic and culturally rich communities; and WHEREAS, Ramadan, represents one of the five pillars of Islam, and is, above all, a time of introspection and spiritual reinvigoration for the entire umma, that is the global Arabic community; and WHEREAS, civic responsibility and social justice is at the heart of Islamic teachings, as evidenced by the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother,” one whose spirit of mutual aid and care for one another mirrors our own city’s ethos; and
WHEREAS, during the month of Ramadan, Muslims are obliged to partake in acts of alms-giving (or zika in the Arabic), thus underscoring the religion’s alignment with the values of our beloved city, and WHEREAS, the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on Friday April 1, 2021, and continues for one lunar month, from sunrise to sunset each day.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of East Palo Alto, celebrates Ramadan and expresses its deepest appreciation to the Muslims of East Palo Alto and throughout the Bay Area and world on this occasion; and we affirm our commitment to ensuring that our City values remain welcoming and compassionate to all peoples and that we pursue policies that respect the dignity and rights of all working people, regardless of race, religion, immigration status, or country of origin, and the City Council urges the people of East Palo Alto to join in celebrating the holy month of Ramadan and taking this month to honor the Muslim community and reflect on the health and wellbeing of family, friends, and fellow citizens.