WHEREAS, In July of each year, people across the State of California recognize and celebrate over 350 years of Muslim contributions to the United States by recognizing Muslim American Heritage Month; and

WHEREAS, Islam is followed by approximately 1.6 billion people worldwide encompassing every major region of the world. The Muslim community promotes brotherhood, community, and diversity and strives to embrace all cultures; and

WHEREAS, The United States is a nation built upon the achievements of immigrants. Muslim Americans have strengthened the society of the State of California and contributed significantly to all areas of life in the United States since the time when Muslims first arrived in significant numbers on the shores of the United States on slave ships during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries; and

WHEREAS, The success of Muslim Americans is a reminder of the gift of religious freedom and the importance of strong commitment to community and faith. Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of American society to make advancements in architecture, arts, business, culture, government, law, medicine, military, religion, and sports; and

WHEREAS, Professional athletes like National Basketball Association Hall of Fame members Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal, and two-time world heavyweight champion Hasim Sharif Rahman thrilled sports fans across the nation and around the globe during their respective careers; and

WHEREAS, Olympians like boxer Muhammad Ali, track and field athlete Dalilah Muhammad, and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad won medals in international competitions; and

WHEREAS, Bangladeshi American Fazlur Rahman Khan left his mark on America’s cityscapes by pioneering a new structural system of frame tubes used to construct iconic buildings like the World Trade Center in New York City, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, and the Willis “Sears” Tower in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Pakistani American neurosurgeon Ayub Ommaya’s invention of the intraventricular catheter system provides chemotherapy to treat brain tumors; and

WHEREAS, Many Muslim Americans pursue the American dream and contribute to the nation’s economy as business owners and entrepreneurs, including Pakistani-born billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of the auto parts company Flex-N-Gate and the National Football League Jacksonville Jaguars; and

WHEREAS, Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi’s invention of the ice cream cone is a practical confection with a near ubiquitous presence in American life; and

WHEREAS, Keith Ellison of Minnesota was elected to the House of Representatives, becoming the first Muslim American to serve in Congress; and

WHEREAS, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the first Muslim American to deliver the invocation for the Senate, and El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, civil rights activist and reformer also known as Malcolm X, were prominent religious leaders and scholars; and

WHEREAS, Zahid Quraishi was confirmed as the first Muslim American to serve as an Article III federal judge as a district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Muslim Americans have fought in support of America in every major war, from Bampett Muhamed and Yusuf Ben Ali under the command of General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War, to Captain Humayun Khan, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in 2004. Over 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty and over 2,300 Muslims serve as selected reserve personnel in the Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Muslim Americans contribute greatly to charitable organizations that help people from all faiths in the United States and around the world by providing medical assistance, family services, scholastic supplies, before and after school programs, feeding the hungry, and providing recuperation efforts following natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, With roots in at least 77 different countries, and identifying racially as White, Black, Arab, and Asian, Muslim Americans are an extremely diverse population. The current population of Muslims living in the United States, a tapestry of ethnic, racial, linguistic, social, and economic groups, is estimated at over 3,450,000 and growing; and

WHEREAS, The State of California has one of the largest Muslim communities in the United States with the majority of Muslims living in Los Angeles and southern California being home to over 120 mosques; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 50 percent of Muslim Americans have reported experiencing religious discrimination, with that number rising to 64 percent for Muslim Americans whose appearance identifies them as Muslim, such as women who wear the hijab, or headscarf; and

WHEREAS, Much work has been done to foster transformational social change and unite people of every racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious background, but there is a continued need for public education, awareness, and policies that are culturally competent when addressing the impacts of being Muslim American; now, therefore, be it