Proposed Res. No. 187-A
Resolution declaring January as Muslim-American Heritage Month in the City of New York to celebrate the culture and history of Muslim Americans and their contributions to New York City communities
By Council Members Louis, Gennaro, Narcisse, Lee, Brooks-Powers, Zhuang, Farías, Wilson, Schulman and Morano
Whereas, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced Senate Resolution (S. Res.) 33 on January 23, 2025, in the United States (U.S.) Senate, “[e]xpressing support for the recognition of January as ‘Muslim-American Heritage Month’ and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim Americans in the United States”; and
Whereas, Representative Carson André (D-IN) introduced a companion House Resolution (H. Res.) 61 on January 23, 2025, in the U.S. House of Representatives; and
Whereas, Muslims arrived in the American colonies and later in the U.S. both as slaves and as indentured workers in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries; and
Whereas, From the 19th century until today in the U.S., new waves of immigration have brought Muslims pursuing economic, social, and religious freedom and opportunity; and
Whereas, These immigrants have become students, workers, and humanitarians in U.S. communities, including in New York City (NYC), and have made contributions in a wide variety of fields, including the arts, architecture, business, government, law, medicine, the military, religion, and sports; and
Whereas, Prominent Muslim Americans, who are too numerous to list, include a broad array of respected and celebrated individuals from all walks of life-from civil rights activist Malcolm X to heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali; and
Whereas, There are currently more than 3,450,000 Muslims living in the U.S., and that figure has been increasing for over a decade; and
Whereas, According to World Population Review in 2023, Muslim Americans are a very diverse racial and ethnic group-about 25 percent Black, 24 percent white, 18 percent Asian, 18 percent Arab, 7 percent mixed race, and 5 percent Hispanic; and
Whereas, According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, it is estimated that there are 1 million Muslims in NYC, making up about 12 percent of the population; and
Whereas, According to a 2022 national survey by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, about 62 percent of Muslim Americans (with a higher percentage of those under 50 years of age) reported facing religious discrimination; and
Whereas, Data from 2019 and 2022 surveys conducted by the Muslim Community Network in NYC showed that Muslim youth between 10 and 18 years of age experienced or witnessed hate crimes most frequently of all age groups; and
Whereas, Senator Booker noted that he is “committed this month, and every month, to working together to combat the continued prejudice and discrimination the Muslim community faces”; and
Whereas, According to the Senate resolution, “[T]here is a need for public education, awareness, and policies that help people be culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts that Muslim Americans have on all aspects” of U.S. society; and
Whereas, That public education and awareness can begin in NYC by honoring the contributions of Muslim Americans in January each year with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
Whereas, Muslim Americans and Muslim immigrants have enriched the multiethnic, multiracial, and multilingual fabric of NYC for centuries; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares January as Muslim-American Heritage Month in the City of New York to celebrate the culture and history of Muslim Americans and their contributions to New York City communities.
RHP
LS #13488
Res. #0243-2024
12/31/2025 2:49 PM
7/14/26