--- title: SR 318. Ramadan; recognize the Islamic holy month collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr318 cite_as: SR 318, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr318 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr318.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr318/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71054 date: 2025-03-03 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-12 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. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr317.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr319.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr318.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 318 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-03 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Sheikh Rahman - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Nan Orrock - Sally Harrell - Donzella James - Emanuel Jones - Derek Mallow - Nikki Merritt - Ed Harbison - David Lucas - Randal Mangham - Michael Rhett - Jason Esteves - Elena Parent - Gail Davenport - Harold Jones - Sonya Halpern - RaShaun Kemp - Freddie Sims - Josh McLaurin text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR318/2025 upstream_id: 1989308 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Ramadan - Islamic heritage - Georgia Senate resolution - religious observance - Eid al-Fitr --- # SR 318. Ramadan; recognize the Islamic holy month ## Text Senate Resolution 318 By: Senators Rahman of the 5th, Islam Parkes of the 7th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, James of the 28th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, commencing a month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and extending best wishes to all in Georgia and around the world for a joyous and meaningful observance of Eid al-Fitr; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Ramadan is the holy month when Muslims worldwide fast not only to renew themselves spiritually but also to recognize their responsibility and obligations to the society at large as well as to take care of the needy and underprivileged regardless of their religious or racial background; and WHEREAS, Muslims in Georgia and around the world observe Ramadan by fasting, emphasizing self-discipline, worshipping, helping humanity and all living beings, and reading the Holy Quran to improve patience, humility, and spirituality; and WHEREAS, Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, a significant holy month in the Islamic faith, and a month of sacrifice; contemplation of Ramadan begins on the evening of February 28, 2025, based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon; and WHEREAS, Ramadan will continue until March, when it ends with the sighting of the new moon and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, signifying an end to the month of fasting; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that there are 3.5 million American Muslims and over 100,000 Georgian Muslims; and WHEREAS, the Muslim population has been growing in Georgia, and today's Georgian Muslim population is a tapestry of ethnic, racial, linguistic, social, and economic groups; and WHEREAS, Georgian Muslims have contributed to every part of society to make advancements in medicine, science, engineering, economics, sports, education, military, and the law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body, in support of Muslims throughout Georgia and the United States, recognize the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and extend best wishes to all in Georgia and across the world for a joyous and meaningful observance of Eid al-Fitr. 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 recognizes the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and offers best wishes to Muslims in Georgia and around the world for the Eid al-Fitr celebration. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal observed by Muslims worldwide, and notes that the 2025 observance was expected to begin around the evening of February 28 and end with the sighting of the new moon and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The resolution describes Ramadan's religious significance, cites estimates of about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide and over 100,000 Muslims in Georgia, and states that Georgian Muslims have contributed to fields such as medicine, science, engineering, education, and the military. The Senate resolves to recognize Ramadan and wish Muslims a joyous Eid al-Fitr, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press. ### What it does - Formally recognizes the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on behalf of the Georgia Senate. - Extends best wishes to Muslims in Georgia and worldwide for a joyous observance of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. - States supportive language toward Muslims throughout Georgia and the United States without creating any new legal rights or obligations. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press. ### Who it affects The resolution speaks to and about Muslims living in Georgia and worldwide, an estimated population of over 100,000 in Georgia according to the text. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who is directed to distribute copies of the resolution. ### Why it matters As a ceremonial resolution, it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements on anyone. Its practical effect is symbolic: an official public statement from the state Senate acknowledging Ramadan and its significance to Georgia's Muslim community. ### Key provisions - The preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) describes Ramadan's religious meaning, its 2025 timing beginning around February 28, and its end with Eid al-Fitr. - Cites population estimates of about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, 3.5 million American Muslims, and over 100,000 Georgian Muslims. - Notes Georgian Muslims' contributions to medicine, science, engineering, economics, sports, education, the military, and law. - The resolving clause states the Senate recognizes Ramadan and extends wishes for a joyous Eid al-Fitr. - A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-03) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-03-03) - Sponsors: Sheikh Rahman, Nabilah Islam Parkes, Nan Orrock, Sally Harrell, Donzella James, Emanuel Jones, Derek Mallow, Nikki Merritt, Ed Harbison, David Lucas, Randal Mangham, Michael Rhett, Jason Esteves, Elena Parent, Gail Davenport, Harold Jones, Sonya Halpern, RaShaun Kemp, Freddie Sims, Josh McLaurin - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71054 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr318.md?full=1