| 1 | 1 | | 24 LC 112 2440 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 790 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Islam Parkes of the 7th, Rahman of the 5th, McLaurin of the 14th, Esteves of |
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| 4 | 4 | | the 6th, Jackson of the 41st and others |
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| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | Recognizing March 15, 2024, as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia; and for |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1 |
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| 8 | 8 | | other purposes.2 |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, observed annually on March 15, the International Day to Combat Islamophobia3 |
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| 10 | 10 | | represents a time to acknowledge the pressing and intensifying issue of Islamophobia, which4 |
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| 11 | 11 | | is further fueled and amplified by persistent and damaging stereotypes that perpetuate and5 |
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| 12 | 12 | | generalize negative attitudes towards Muslims; and6 |
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| 13 | 13 | | WHEREAS, this date was chosen in observance and remembrance of the tragic Christchurch7 |
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| 14 | 14 | | mosque shootings of 2019 in New Zealand, during which 51 people were killed; and8 |
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| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, the International Day to Combat Islamophobia seeks to promote a better9 |
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| 16 | 16 | | understanding of Islam and to encourage people to challenge negative stereotypes and biased10 |
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| 17 | 17 | | attitudes towards Muslims; and11 |
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| 18 | 18 | | WHEREAS, during this day, governments and civil society organizations are encouraged to12 |
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| 19 | 19 | | take measures to prevent and combat Islamophobia as well as to promote respect for diversity13 |
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| 20 | 20 | | and cultural differences; and14 |
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| 21 | 21 | | S. R. 790 |
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| 22 | 22 | | - 1 - 24 LC 112 2440 |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, according to the Geneva International Centre for Justice, Islamophobia has |
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| 24 | 24 | | 15 |
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| 25 | 25 | | increased in recent years due to factors such as media coverage that portrays Muslims as16 |
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| 26 | 26 | | terrorists or extremists, the scapegoating of Muslims for societal problems, and the politically17 |
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| 27 | 27 | | motivated promotion of anti-Muslim sentiment; and18 |
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| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, negative portrayals of Islam and Muslims, along with harmful stereotypes, have19 |
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| 29 | 29 | | contributed to the normalization of discrimination, hostility, and violence against Muslims20 |
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| 30 | 30 | | and their communities; and21 |
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| 31 | 31 | | WHEREAS, in acknowledgment of the rising issue of Islamophobia, it is abundantly fitting22 |
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| 32 | 32 | | and proper that this day be appropriately honored.23 |
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| 33 | 33 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body24 |
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| 34 | 34 | | recognize March 15, 2024, as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.25 |
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| 35 | 35 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed26 |
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| 36 | 36 | | to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the27 |
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| 37 | 37 | | press.28 |
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| 38 | 38 | | S. R. 790 |
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| 39 | 39 | | - 2 - |
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