Title
To Condemn Religious Intolerance and the Rise of Islamophobia, and Declare Support for the Muslim Community in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is proud to be a racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse city, and home to one-quarter of Ohio’s foreign-born population; and
WHEREAS, Columbus is home to thousands of Muslims whose faith inspires them to give back every day and to contribute to our City as United States military personnel, police officers, doctors, nurses, caregivers, business owners, teachers, and many other roles that are integral to the success of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the people of Columbus have a long history of opening their arms to all peoples and the increasing prevalence of anti-Muslim rhetoric is adverse to both our community’s belief system, as well as our nation’s founding principle of religious liberty; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 1,400th anniversary of the Charter of Medina, a constitutional contract between the Prophet Muhammad and the people of Medina, which guaranteed religious liberty for all, regardless of faith; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 225th anniversary of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, which enshrined the principle of religious liberty into the jurisprudence of the country; and
WHEREAS, Muslims, like members of all religious backgrounds, should be treated with the dignity, care, and compassion that every human being deserves, irrespective of faith; and
WHEREAS, hatred, fear, and discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, religion, or national origin is detrimental to all people who cherish freedom and equality; and
WHEREAS, all residents of the City ought to confront all forms of religious bigotry, vilification, and denigration and stand with our sisters and brothers throughout the Muslim community; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby condemn religious ...
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