[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         COMMEMORATING RAMADAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 10, 2010

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the commencement 
of Ramadan, which begins tonight at dusk.
  Most Americans are not familiar with Ramadan. In New Jersey, with our 
diverse, cosmopolitan population, we understand well the significance 
this month has for America's millions of Muslims and for Muslims around 
the globe. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, a time 
of fasting, prayer, spiritual renewal, and contemplation. The 
observance of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is a 
time when adherents to the faith give generously to charities both 
locally and around the world. Ramadan is a time to strengthen ties to 
family and community in the form of meals shared among friends and 
neighbors at sunset, when the fast is broken. During Ramadan, our 
American-Muslim neighbors in the 12th District volunteer their time at 
area soup kitchens in places like Trenton and New Brunswick.
  It has been my privilege to represent the American-Muslim population 
in Central Jersey, a vibrant, thriving community of doctors, engineers, 
lawyers, teachers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, U.S. 
servicemen and women, and working class Americans. Their concerns are 
the same as those of many Americans--maintaining high standards of 
education to ensure that their children can compete globally, 
sustaining their small businesses, rebuilding our economy, and seeking 
new energy sources to reduce waste.
  There is no greater testament to the American way of life than the 
fact that Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus--people of all faiths--live 
and work side-by-side in our local communities across the nation. The 
vast majority of our Muslim neighbors reject the extremist ideologies 
that have taken root on the fringes of Islam, tarnishing the name of 
that religion. As I visit with my friends in the American-Muslim 
community of Central New Jersey, I see clearly that the relationship 
between American democratic values and a moderate Islam has been, and 
will continue to be, mutually beneficial.
  I look forward to participating in Ramadan iftaars in the 12th 
District and to continuing to serve American-Muslims and members of all 
the faith communities in Central New Jersey.

                          ____________________