Georgia CommonsSR 197: Muslim Appreciation Day; recognize February 20, 2025
Last action February 18, 2025 · Senate Read and Referred
A Georgia Senate resolution designates February 20, 2025, as Muslim Appreciation Day at the state capitol, honoring contributions by Muslim Georgians and naming several community leaders and organizations.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes any statute. It states that Georgia's Muslim community, numbering almost 200,000 people, has contributed to fields such as finance, technology, law, business, politics, medicine, education, sports, media, the arts, the military, and government. The resolution lists specific individuals and organizations it says deserve recognition for community service, including IMAN Atlanta, ICNA Relief Atlanta, and several named community leaders and professionals. It then formally resolves that the Senate recognizes February 20, 2025, as Muslim Appreciation Day at the state capitol, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes February 20, 2025, as Muslim Appreciation Day at the Georgia state capitol.
- Names specific individuals and organizations, including IMAN Atlanta and ICNA Relief Atlanta, as deserving of recognition for community service.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
- Does not change any Georgia statute, create funding, or impose any new legal requirement.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects Georgia's Muslim community and the named individuals and organizations it honors, such as IMAN Atlanta, ICNA Relief Atlanta, and various community leaders. It has no direct legal effect on any other group since it creates no enforceable rules.
Why it matters
Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It publicly acknowledges the contributions of Georgia's Muslim community and specific local leaders, but it does not change any law, create funding, or require any agency to take action beyond distributing copies of the text.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses describe the size and contributions of Georgia's Muslim community, estimated at almost 200,000 people.
- The whereas clauses name specific individuals and organizations, such as Dr. Khalid Siddique and IMAN Atlanta, for recognition.
- The first resolving clause designates February 20, 2025, as Muslim Appreciation Day at the state capitol.
- The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and the press.
From the bill
“BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize February 20, 2025, as Muslim Appreciation Day at the state capitol.”
“with persistence, courage, and an enduring belief in the American dream, a community of almost 200,000 Georgia Muslims are playing a vital role in promoting freedom and democracy in our communities here in Georgia”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
Topics
- Muslim Appreciation Day
- Georgia Senate resolutions
- religious recognition
- community leaders