Help get International Muslim History Month recognized nationally and internationally through Proclamations in order to dismantle Islamophobia globally by celebrating the achievements of Muslim men and women from the past and the present which shaped and enriched our society today. 

 What is a proclamation?

A proclamation is an official declaration, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance, issued by a person of authority to make certain announcements known. Currently, proclamations are used within the governing framework of some nations and are usually issued in the name of the head of state.

ACT NOW!

Our goal is to get Proclamations from at least 10 states within the USA before May 2023. It takes at least 4-6 weeks to complete a Proclamation. So reach out to your state/city government well in advance!

How to Request a Proclamation within the USA from a Governor or Mayor declaring May 2023 as International Muslim History Month. 

Here are the most common steps to request a proclamation from the governor or mayor; however, some states and cities may vary regarding proclamation procedures.

  1. Begin the process in March and start by locating the appropriate state or city government website.
  2. You may find a tab called “Mayor’s Page” or “Governor’s Page.” Also look for “Ceremonial” or “Forms” on the navigation.
  3. If you do not see any of these, try using the site’s Search feature with the word “proclamation.” If a proclamation draft is requested, provide the proclamation draft attached to this document below.
  4. Another option is the “Contact Us” link. This area allows you to write a brief message such as:
    • How do I ask the governor to issue a Proclamation declaring May 2023, International Muslim History Month?
    • How do I ask the mayor to issue a Proclamation declaring May 2023, International Muslim History Month?
  5. A staff person will probably reply and email a form to complete. Email the form back for an official signature.
  6. Follow up with a phone call or an email within a week just to be sure your request arrived.
  7. When you have confirmation that the proclamation has been signed, contact local media to suggest a news item, interview or photo with the mayor or governor and affiliate representatives.
  8. Inform us of the proclamation (and include a digital copy of the proclamation if possible) at info@worldhijabday.org

Additional Information

You may be asked to provide the following information depending on what state you are in:

    • Date of Proclamation: May, 2023
    • Title of Proclamation: Recognizing May 2023 as International Muslim History Month 
    • Purpose of Proclamation: International Muslim History Month was established to educate people around the world of authentic Islamic history, the events, the personalities, and the contributions which changed society, in the hope all Muslims can bridge their relationship with their non-Muslim neighbors through education and understanding. International Muslim History Month is an initiative by the World Hijab Day Organization, a USA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization [EIN: 823067789].
    • Draft Language of Proclamation (you may be asked to include a few WHEREAS clauses in the proclamation request form):

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those who foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of ____________________(insert the name of your State here); and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize ___________________________ (insert the name of the Governor or Mayor) to proclaim May 2023, as Muslim History Month in the State of ____________________(insert the name of your State here), in conjunction with the observance of the 3rd annual International Muslim History Month; and

WHEREAS, International Muslim History Month was founded by Nazma Khan in 2021, to dismantle Islamophobia globally; this inspirational woman also established World Hijab Day (WHD) in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty, and to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women (non-Hijabi Muslims/non-Muslims) to experience the hijab for one day; and

WHEREAS, International Muslim History Month was established to educate Muslims of ____________________(insert the name of your State here) and around the world of authentic Islamic history, the events, the personalities, and the contributions which changed society, in the hope all Muslims can bridge their relationship with their non-Muslim neighbors through education and understanding; and

WHEREAS, The history of the Muslim faith is full of wonder, built upon the shoulders of giants whose courage did not waver at the thought of being a paradigmatic threat; its past is filled with dreamers, believers, men and women of imagination and innovation; and

WHEREAS, Some notable contributions which have daily impacts on modern civilization include: Ibn al-Haitham’s scholarship established fundamental principles of optics including the connection between the optic nerve and the brain in the First Century A.D.; algebra originated in Al-Khwarizmi’s Kitab al-Jabr Wal-Mugabala, the Book of Reasoning and Balancing; Al-Zahrawi’s illustrated medical encyclopedia was in wide use for over 500 years; teaching hospitals as we know them originated in 9th Century Egypt; Fatima al-Firhi established the first-degree granting university in Fez, now in Morocco; in the 9th Century, Abbas ibn Firnas was the first human to successfully achieve flight; and coffee was first brewed in Yemen in the 9th Century; and

WHEREAS, International Muslim History Month provides an excellent means by which people of ____________________(insert the name of your State here) can learn more about the rich Muslim heritage, while fostering an appreciation for this ancient culture among future generations; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to acknowledge various cultures of people who add to the overall diversity of our State and, on this occasion, we take the opportunity to recognize the contributions made by the Muslim-American community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize ___________________________(insert the name of the Governor or Mayor)  to proclaim May 2023, as Muslim History Month in the State of ____________________(insert the name of your State here); and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Nazma Khan, Founder, International Muslim History Month.