---
title: SR 197. Muslim Appreciation Day; recognize February 20, 2025
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr197
cite_as: SR 197, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr197
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr197.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr197/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70378
date: 2025-02-18
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr196.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr198.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 95
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr197.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 197
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-17
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
  - Nabilah Islam Parkes
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR197/2025
upstream_id: 1972960
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Muslim Appreciation Day
  - Georgia Senate resolutions
  - religious recognition
  - community leaders
---

# SR 197. Muslim Appreciation Day; recognize February 20, 2025

## Text

Senate Resolution 197
By: Senator Islam Parkes of the 7th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 20, 2025, as Muslim Appreciation Day at the state capitol; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS, many contributions have been made by Muslims who have furthered the
development of this state and nation; for over a century, the Muslim American community
has made significant accomplishments in the State of Georgia and the United States; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, Georgia Muslims have become an integral part of American society and have
made important contributions in the fields of finance, technology, law, business, politics,
medicine, education, sports, media, the arts, the military, and the government, as well as
other areas; and
WHEREAS, the following individuals and organizations have dedicated innumerable hours
of time and energy toward aiding their fellow citizens and are thus deserving of recognition:
IMAN Atlanta, a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization; Dr. Khalid Siddique, founding member
of Al-Farooq Masjid; M. Inamullah, founder of Glitter of Hope; Mr. Shahir Rasalan, lifelong
community leader; Dr. Nausheen Naveed, former AAPNA president and dedicated
humanitarian; Dr. Naushad Khan Ghilzai, associate dean of PCOM; Muhammad Nadeem
Raza, founding board member of the Gwinnett Islamic Center; Mr. Omar Shekey, Somali &
Refugees community leader; Kareemah Hanifa, director at Life University and activist;
Fatma Mammadova, science teacher and community outreach coordinator for the Istanbul
Cultural Center; and ICNA Relief Atlanta, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping the refugee
community; and
WHEREAS, this year, we join together to honor the past and present contributions made by
Muslims on behalf of Georgia and the United States as part of the American cultural and
religious fabric.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize February 20, 2025, as Muslim Appreciation Day at the state capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the
press.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

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.

### Plain-language summary

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 it 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.

## Status

- Status: Introduced (2025-02-17)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2025-02-18)
- Sponsors: Nabilah Islam Parkes
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70378

> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr197.md?full=1