[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22597]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                            RAMADAN GREETING

  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, it is highly appropriate that we welcome 
Imam Yahya Hendi. This body represents all Americans, and it is 
extremely appropriate, then, that we should welcome the Imam today to 
help celebrate the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, which is 
set to begin tomorrow.
  Islam is not only one of the world's great religions, but it is one 
of the great American religions. American Muslims have immigrated to 
this country from all corners of the globe, and in all parts of the 
United States Muslims are valued, integral members of our communities.
  It is an honor for me to represent the largest Arab American 
community in the United States. As Ramadan begins, I extend my personal 
greetings to all Muslim Americans, particularly my friends and 
constituents in Michigan's 16th District.
  Mr. Speaker, I also send best wishes to our Muslim friends and allies 
in the Middle East and South Asia, as well as Muslims in all corners of 
the world. To our allies in the Islamic world, I would also like to 
express my gratitude for their friendship, particularly at this 
difficult time. As President Bush has pointed out, the United States is 
not at war with Islam. We are at war with terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, some of what has been said over the last couple of 
months has painted a highly inaccurate picture of Islam. Islam is not a 
religion of division and intolerance, but rather, a religion which 
values diversity and understanding. It is, above all else, a religion 
of peace and progress.
  Americans must not tolerate injustices committed out of ignorance 
against any group of Americans, particularly against Muslim Americans, 
who share with us the horror of the events of September 11, which to 
them are particularly offensive because the Muslim community feels it 
is grossly improper that the perpetrators expressly attempted to use 
that faith as an excuse for a horrible crime.
  In this month of introspection, faith, prayer, and cleansing, I again 
wish to relay my greetings and best wishes to the Muslims in southeast 
Michigan and in the United States, as well as all the Muslims in the 
world.

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