This measure would recognize the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

This measure would recognize the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

This measure would recognize the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, Freedom of religion holds the distinction of being a cherished right and a fundamental value upon which the law and ethics of the United States are based; and

WHEREAS, Enriched by the unparalleled diversity of its residents, the State of California takes great pride in supporting individual religious freedoms and is strengthened by the diverse religious, political, and cultural traditions of its residents, including Americans who practice Islam; and

WHEREAS, The history of Islam in this country dates back to before its founding, originating with enslaved Africans who brought their Muslim beliefs with them to the Americas and who later contributed in numerous ways to the founding of the nation, and there are today millions of American Muslims, both immigrant and native born, of diverse backgrounds and beliefs; and

WHEREAS, American Muslims contribute greatly to the fabric of California and to causes that help people from all faiths and backgrounds in California, in the United States, and around the world by providing family services, scholastic supplies, medical assistance, before and after school programs, recuperation efforts following natural disasters, and food to the hungry; and

WHEREAS, California is home to several prominent Muslim figures who continue to make significant contributions to the State of California and the United States as business owners, legal professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, farmers, civil rights leaders, humanitarians, and athletes, and in many other great, notable capacities; and

WHEREAS, Muslims across California have made invaluable contributions to the arts, including film and television, comedy, music, and the visual arts; and

WHEREAS, The 2016 University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey found that while Muslims are a religious minority on campuses, they are racially diverse, with a majority of the population identifying as women, with varied social class backgrounds, more likely to work during their college years, and more likely to participate in student organizations than their peers of nonreligious or other religious backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, In 2024, American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month (AMAAM) was moved to the month of April in order to fall within the K12 school year to allow students from all faiths and backgrounds the opportunity to engage with, commemorate, and further their understanding of American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Incidents of hate continue to impact the Muslim community, including hate crimes, mosque vandalism, school bullying, workplace and housing discrimination, and hate speech targeted at Muslims; and

WHEREAS, In the first decade of the 21st century, the Federal Bureau of Investigation profiled and spied on Muslim communities in northern and southern California, forcing the Muslim community at large to fight for the rights of its community members; and

WHEREAS, As recently as 2022, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training utilized as a training tool a video depicting Muslims inside prisons as likely to radicalize and form extremist organizations that could attack United States targets, perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiments among peace officers; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature acknowledges the importance of the state government in advocating for peace and justice, understanding that Muslims everywhere deserve to live in peace and safety; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to acknowledge and promote awareness of the myriad of invaluable contributions of American Muslims in California and across the country and extend to them the respect and camaraderie every American deserves; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins communities throughout the State of California in recognizing the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Freedom of religion holds the distinction of being a cherished right and a fundamental value upon which the law and ethics of the United States are based; and

WHEREAS, Enriched by the unparalleled diversity of its residents, the State of California takes great pride in supporting individual religious freedoms and is strengthened by the diverse religious, political, and cultural traditions of its residents, including Americans who practice Islam; and

WHEREAS, The history of Islam in this country dates back to before its founding, originating with enslaved Africans who brought their Muslim beliefs with them to the Americas and who later contributed in numerous ways to the founding of the nation, and there are today millions of American Muslims, both immigrant and native born, of diverse backgrounds and beliefs; and

WHEREAS, American Muslims contribute greatly to the fabric of California and to causes that help people from all faiths and backgrounds in California, in the United States, and around the world by providing family services, scholastic supplies, medical assistance, before and after school programs, recuperation efforts following natural disasters, and food to the hungry; and

WHEREAS, California is home to several prominent Muslim figures who continue to make significant contributions to the State of California and the United States as business owners, legal professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, farmers, civil rights leaders, humanitarians, and athletes, and in many other great, notable capacities; and

WHEREAS, Muslims across California have made invaluable contributions to the arts, including film and television, comedy, music, and the visual arts; and

WHEREAS, The 2016 University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey found that while Muslims are a religious minority on campuses, they are racially diverse, with a majority of the population identifying as women, with varied social class backgrounds, more likely to work during their college years, and more likely to participate in student organizations than their peers of nonreligious or other religious backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, In 2024, American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month (AMAAM) was moved to the month of April in order to fall within the K12 school year to allow students from all faiths and backgrounds the opportunity to engage with, commemorate, and further their understanding of American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Incidents of hate continue to impact the Muslim community, including hate crimes, mosque vandalism, school bullying, workplace and housing discrimination, and hate speech targeted at Muslims; and

WHEREAS, In the first decade of the 21st century, the Federal Bureau of Investigation profiled and spied on Muslim communities in northern and southern California, forcing the Muslim community at large to fight for the rights of its community members; and

WHEREAS, As recently as 2022, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training utilized as a training tool a video depicting Muslims inside prisons as likely to radicalize and form extremist organizations that could attack United States targets, perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiments among peace officers; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature acknowledges the importance of the state government in advocating for peace and justice, understanding that Muslims everywhere deserve to live in peace and safety; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to acknowledge and promote awareness of the myriad of invaluable contributions of American Muslims in California and across the country and extend to them the respect and camaraderie every American deserves; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins communities throughout the State of California in recognizing the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Freedom of religion holds the distinction of being a cherished right and a fundamental value upon which the law and ethics of the United States are based; and

WHEREAS, Enriched by the unparalleled diversity of its residents, the State of California takes great pride in supporting individual religious freedoms and is strengthened by the diverse religious, political, and cultural traditions of its residents, including Americans who practice Islam; and

WHEREAS, The history of Islam in this country dates back to before its founding, originating with enslaved Africans who brought their Muslim beliefs with them to the Americas and who later contributed in numerous ways to the founding of the nation, and there are today millions of American Muslims, both immigrant and native born, of diverse backgrounds and beliefs; and

WHEREAS, American Muslims contribute greatly to the fabric of California and to causes that help people from all faiths and backgrounds in California, in the United States, and around the world by providing family services, scholastic supplies, medical assistance, before and after school programs, recuperation efforts following natural disasters, and food to the hungry; and

WHEREAS, California is home to several prominent Muslim figures who continue to make significant contributions to the State of California and the United States as business owners, legal professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, farmers, civil rights leaders, humanitarians, and athletes, and in many other great, notable capacities; and

WHEREAS, Muslims across California have made invaluable contributions to the arts, including film and television, comedy, music, and the visual arts; and

WHEREAS, The 2016 University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey found that while Muslims are a religious minority on campuses, they are racially diverse, with a majority of the population identifying as women, with varied social class backgrounds, more likely to work during their college years, and more likely to participate in student organizations than their peers of nonreligious or other religious backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, In 2024, American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month (AMAAM) was moved to the month of April in order to fall within the K12 school year to allow students from all faiths and backgrounds the opportunity to engage with, commemorate, and further their understanding of American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Incidents of hate continue to impact the Muslim community, including hate crimes, mosque vandalism, school bullying, workplace and housing discrimination, and hate speech targeted at Muslims; and

WHEREAS, In the first decade of the 21st century, the Federal Bureau of Investigation profiled and spied on Muslim communities in northern and southern California, forcing the Muslim community at large to fight for the rights of its community members; and

WHEREAS, As recently as 2022, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training utilized as a training tool a video depicting Muslims inside prisons as likely to radicalize and form extremist organizations that could attack United States targets, perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiments among peace officers; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature acknowledges the importance of the state government in advocating for peace and justice, understanding that Muslims everywhere deserve to live in peace and safety; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to acknowledge and promote awareness of the myriad of invaluable contributions of American Muslims in California and across the country and extend to them the respect and camaraderie every American deserves; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins communities throughout the State of California in recognizing the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Date of Hearing: May 19, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 45

Author:(Wahab) – As Introduced Ver:

SENATE VOTE:

SUBJECT: American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

SUMMARY: Recognizes the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Freedom of religion holds the distinction of being a cherished right and a fundamental value upon which the law and ethics of the United States are based.
2. Enriched by the unparalleled diversity of its residents, the State of California takes great pride in supporting individual religious freedoms and is strengthened by the diverse religious, political, and cultural traditions of its residents, including Americans who practice Islam.
3. American Muslims contribute greatly to the fabric of California and to causes that help people from all faiths and backgrounds in California, in the United States, and around the world by providing family services, scholastic supplies, medical assistance, before and after school programs, recuperation efforts following natural disasters, and food to the hungry.
4. California is home to several prominent Muslim figures who continue to make significant contributions to the State of California and the United States as business owners, legal professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, farmers, civil rights leaders, humanitarians, and athletes, and in many other great, notable capacities. Muslims across California have made invaluable contributions to the arts, including film and television, comedy, music, and the visual arts.
5. In 2024, American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month was moved to the month of April in order to fall within the K-12 school year to allow students from all faiths and backgrounds the opportunity to engage with, commemorate, and further their understanding of American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 45

Author: Wahab (D), et al.

Introduced: 3/24/25

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution recognizes the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. The history of Islam in this country dates back to before its founding, originating with enslaved Africans who brought their Muslim beliefs with them to the Americas and who later contributed in numerous ways to the founding of the nation, and there are today millions of American Muslims, both immigrant and native born, of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
2. American Muslims contribute greatly to the fabric of California and to causes that help people from all faiths and backgrounds in California, in the United States, and around the world by providing family services, scholastic supplies, medical assistance, before and after school programs, recuperation efforts following natural disasters, and food to the hungry.
3. California is home to several prominent Muslim figures who continue to make significant contributions to the State of California and the United States as business owners, legal professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, farmers, civil rights leaders, humanitarians, and athletes, and in many other great, notable capacities.
4. In the first decade of the 21st century, the Federal Bureau of Investigation profiled and spied on Muslim communities in northern and southern California, forcing the Muslim community at large to fight for the rights of its community members.

This resolution joins communities throughout the State of California in recognizing the month of April 2025 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

Related/Prior Legislation

SCR 133 (Wahab, Resolution Chapter 83, Statutes of 2024).

ACR 220 (Kalra, Resolution Chapter 192, Statutes of 2024).

ACR 100 (Kalra, Resolution Chapter 146, Statutes of 2023).

HR 52 (Reyes, 2023) – Adopted in Assembly.

ACR 212 (Kalra, 2022) – Held in the Senate Rules Committee.

ACR 102 (Kalra, Resolution Chapter 7, Statutes of 2022).

HR 130 (Quirk, 2021) – Adopted in Assembly.

HR 58 (Quirk, 2021) – Adopted in Assembly.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/1/25)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/1/25)

None received

Prepared by: Sofia Pachon-Mendez / SFA / (916) 651-1520

4/2/25 15:50:21

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