SR899: SR899 Shia Ismaili Muslim Community and the month of Ramadan and Navroz; commemorate

26 LC 112 3794 Senate Resolution 899 By: Senators Parkes of the 7th, Rahman of the 5th, Merritt of the 9th, Mangham of the 55th, Wicks of the 34th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community and commemorating the1 month of Ramadan and Navroz; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Georgia's strength lies in the contributions of various communities that call our3 state home, enriching our economy, culture, and civic life; and4 WHEREAS, on March 21, 2026, constituents across Georgia, includ ing the local Ismaili5 Muslim Community, will join communities worldwide in celebrating Navroz, marking the6 Persian New Year, the spring equinox, and a celebration of rene wal, hope, and new7 beginnings that reflects the optimism and forward-looking spirit of our great state; and8 WHEREAS, the global Muslim community is currently observing the sacred month of9 Ramadan, a time of reflection and spiritual growth during which the Holy Quran was first10 revealed; and11 WHEREAS, Ramadan's emphasis on charity, service, self-discipline, and care for the less12 fortunate mirrors the values of compassion and community servic e that have long defined13 the character of Georgia and its people; and14 S. R. 899 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3794 WHEREAS, the Shia Ismaili Muslim community comprises approximat ely 15 million15 individuals across 35 countries under the spiritual leadership of His Highness Prince Rahim16 Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the global Ismaili comm unity, whose Imamat17 continues an unbroken chain of spiritual leadership spanning over 1,400 years, now carried18 forward into a new and promising chapter; and19 WHEREAS, Georgia is home to a thriving Ismaili community whose members are our20 neighbors, business owners, educators, healthcare providers, pr ofessionals, students, and21 engaged citizens who strengthen our workforce, support economic development, spur22 innovation, create jobs, celebrate the arts, serve as leaders on various nonprofit boards, and23 invest in Georgia's future prosperity; and24 WHEREAS, Ismaili CIVIC, the community's voluntary service organization, partners with25 Georgia institutions, including the American Red Cross of Georgia, the Atlanta Community26 Food Bank, Lions Lighthouse Foundation, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Hands on Atlanta,27 Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, and many more.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 recognize and commend the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community for their contributions to the30 State of Georgia and the global community as well as commemorate the month of Ramadan31 and Navroz.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the34 press. 35 S. R. 899 - 2 -