In Theory:

A congressional resolution recognizing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as important is reportedly being touted by U.S. Muslims as an important sign that they are gaining acceptance in America and becoming part of the fabric of the country. But Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., argued that the resolution is nothing more than an example of political correctness, which he reportedly said has captured the political and media elite in the U.S. What do you think?.

The unanimous congressional resolution of Oct. 2 recognizing the month of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, is another watershed event for the tradition of religious pluralism in our country. As strife and conflict dominate the sensational headlines of press coverage about Muslims, there is a more authentic story of American Muslims becoming a natural part of our society’s mainstream. The real issue is our shared human and democratic values in an informed American society.

The congressional resolution should not come as a surprise, as it is an expected outcome of the American Muslims’ efforts for societal integration and inclusion.

Recent examples include former President Clinton hosting the first official “iftaar,” or breaking of the daily fast, during Ramadan with Muslim leaders at the White House — a tradition that has continued with the Bush administration; the election of the first Muslim to the U.S. Congress, Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, who used a Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson from the National Archives for his swearing-in ceremony; and a new interfaith tradition emerging during Ramadan called “fast-a-thons” that started on college campuses in 2002 where non-Muslims participate for a one-day fast to raise money for local homeless charities. This year an estimated 75,000 non-Muslims participated.

Locally, the Rev. Ed Bacon and several parishioners of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena fast in solidarity with Southern California Muslims for the entire month of Ramadan — each year since Sept. 11, 2001.

This past Oct. 5, Amira Al-Sarraf, the school head of New Horizon School, an independent Islamic school in Pasadena, participated in the State Department’s official iftaar honoring American Muslim educators. Al-Sarraf sat with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as the leader of the first Islamic school in the nation to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award.