‘Islam Day’ Approved by Hawaii’s State Senate: Good or Bad Idea? | Update: Obama to Not Meet with Religious Leaders on National Day of Prayer
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on May 7, 2009
By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone
I don’t know how I feel that Hawaii has approved a bill to celebrate “Islam Day.”
One part of me is proud that in America, we celebrate or honor other religious holidays, and that Islam, while not as predominant in the US, has a growing number of religious Muslim followers among our citizens. America is the land of tolerance, the shining star that welcomes all people to its shores of freedom, promising a life without religious persecution. But “Islam Day” isn’t a religious holiday. It’s something that the Hawaii politicians made up.
The other part of me is reviled. It is too, too soon after the nightmare of September 11, 2001. Islamic radicals, murderous terrorists with absolutely no regard for human life, changed our nation forever when they used jets as super-sized torpedoes against thousands of American citizens. Obviously, New Yorkers feel the gut-wrenching anguish of 9/11 far deeper than any one outside of New York City can imagine.
The Air Force One flyover of Manhattan last week, with thousands of terrified people pouring out of office buildings in fear that a repeat of 9/11 was happening, says it all. It indicates that the effects of that terrible Tuesday in September almost eight years ago is still fresh in the minds of many.
We’d never consider celebrating an “Adolph Hitler Day” or a “Japanese Bombing Pearl Harbor Day” or a “Benito Mussolini Day.” Ask any family member of someone who tragically died in the World Trade Center if they are affected by the pronouncement of Hawaii’s new Islam Day. I’m confident it won’t be met with glowing responses. How likely is it for New York to follow in the steps of Hawaii by creating its own Islam Day?
We don’t have a state-designated Christianity Day, a Judaism Day, a Hindu Day, a Buddhist Day, a Catholic Day, a Baha’i Day, a Methodist Day, a Presbyterian Day, a Baptist Day, a Lutheran Day, a Quaker Day, a Church of Latter Day Saints Day, a Scientology Day, or a Wiccan Day in America (at least to the best of my knowledge–please correct me if I’m wrong). Why has Islam been singled out by Hawaii?
We observe religious holidays in America, particularly Easter and Christmas. That is primarily because America has a foundation of Christian and Biblical principles and it was, and still is, the predominant religion in the country. The teachings of Jesus Christ influenced our founding fathers and has contributed greatly to and shaped what America is today. Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Pesach (Passover) are religious holidays observed for centuries by Jews and are honored by non-Jews. These are real holidays or festivals in the Jewish community; they aren’t made-up days created by and voted on by state lawmakers.
Muslims observe, celebrate, or honor a number of holidays, most notably Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and Laylat al-Qadr. Muslims do not celebrate a concocted day called “Islam Day.” Honoring their holidays makes sense; fabricating a day in the religion’s honor doesn’t. I doubt that Iran, Iraq, or Turkey would ever consider passing a bill to have their own “Christianity Day.”
Islam is complicated, consisting of a number of religious denominations that are essentially similar in belief, but which have significant theological and legal differences. Muslim terrorists and zealots are in fewer number than those who live in harmony with people of other faiths. The events of September 11 horrified, saddened, and disgusted many peaceful, law-abiding American Muslims. But it also was a day of jubilant celebration by millions of Muslims in other nations. “Death to Americans” is a common mantra for them. I am hard-pressed to come up with any ideas as to how Islamic principles have shaped our nation, or how Islamic culture or arts have been influential in America. I don’t mean that disrespectfully, but I would like to know what I’ve missed.
I want to be fair, to be balanced, to be open. But, when the ACLU or atheist groups or liberal politicians can openly mock or bad-mouth Christians for their values and principles, or demand the outlaw of displays of Nativity scenes at Christmas and other religious symbols, I feel the hateful sting of marginalization of Christianity. I boycott retailers who want to erase “Christmas” from Christmas, who refuse to let their cashiers say “Merry Christmas” or sell the politically correct “holiday trees” instead of “Christmas trees.” Before Thanksgiving, I now call retailers in my area to find out what their stance on “Christmas” is during the Christmas season. Religious sensitivity and respect is extended by extremist liberals to all religions… except Christianity. As a Christian, I find that offensive and hypocritical.
The very fact that I’m struggling with Hawaii’s “Islam Day” tells me that it is just a bad idea.
And, I admit that I cynically wonder: Why did Hawaii’s elected officials feel so compelled to create this day? Is it a coincidence that this is Barack Obama’s (still to be determined) place of birth? Just how big IS the Muslim community in Hawaii? And why in the heck is Islam Day being celebrated 13 days after September 11?
Hawaii Lawmakers Pass Bill to Create ‘Islam Day’
Hawaii’s state Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday to celebrate “Islam Day” — over the objections of a few lawmakers who said they didn’t want to honor a religion connected to Sept. 11, 2001.The Senate’s two Republicans argued that a minority of Islamic extremists have killed many innocents in terrorist attacks.
“I recall radical Islamists around the world cheering the horrors of 9/11. That is the day all civilized people of all religions should remember,” said Republican Sen. Fred Hemmings to the applause of more than 100 people gathered in the Senate to oppose a separate issue — same-sex civil unions.
The resolution to proclaim Sept. 24, 2009, as Islam Day passed the Senate on a 22-3 vote. It had previously passed the House and now goes to Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.
The bill seeks to recognize “the rich religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions” that Islam and the Islamic world have made. It does not call for any spending or organized celebration of Islam Day.
“We are a state of tolerance. We understand that people have different beliefs,” said Sen. Will Espero, a Democrat. “We may not all agree on every single item and issue out there, but to say and highlight the negativity of the Islamic people is an insult to the majority” of believers “who are good law-abiding citizens of the world.”
But Republican Sen. Sam Slom argued that the United States has become too sympathetic toward Islamic extremists.
“I don’t think there’s any country in the history of the world that has been more tolerant than the United States of America, and because of that tolerance, we’ve looked the other way a lot of times, and many thousands of our citizens have been killed by terrorists,” said Slom, a Republican.
The lone Democrat voting against the bill opposed it on church-state separation fears.
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Pres. Obama has decided to not be front and center for National Day of Prayer, as has been the practice of US presidents since 1988. The day originated in 1952 when Congress set aside the first Thursday in May for the observance. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that Obama would issue the proclamation, but would not meet with religious leaders or hold any National Day of Prayer events at the White House. Former President Bush always met with various religious leaders and attended functions related to the National Day of Prayer.
Obama’s decision has drawn sharp criticism. Ironic that this decision comes on the heels of Hawaii’s creation of “Islam Day.”
Stop the ACLU: Obama On National Prayer Day: No Thanks
Right Pundits: Obama: National Day of Prayer Scaled Back
Pirate’s Cove: Obama On National Prayer Day: No Thanks
The Daley Gator: Obama blows off National Day of Prayer
Jim Blazsik: Obama to be Prayer Day no-show
Dwight Schultz, Big Hollywood: Our President is a ‘Symbol-holic’
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Additional reading about Hawaii’s Islam Day:
Founding Bloggers: File Under WTF?! Hawaii Legislation Declares 9/24/09 “Islam Day”
Michelle Malkin: Hawaii passes “Islam Day” law
The Underground Conservative: Islam day in Hawaii?
The Daley Gator: Islam Day?
Dianej’s Weblog: Islam Day Will Be Celebrated In Hawaii: Sept. 24, 2009
Fire Andrea Mitchell!: Hussein Obama’s old stomping grounds Hawaii now has “National Islam Day” – Guess which month it will be celebrated in?
Pirate’s Cove: Hawaii Goes Dhimmi, Creates Islam Day
Track-A-’Crat, The Roll Call of Democratic Delinquency: Time To Invade Hawaii
CBS News: Hawaii Lawmakers Back The Creation Of ‘Islam Day’
Hot Air: Obama’s Speech to “the Muslim World”: Who Cares?
Stop the Liberals Now: Hawaii Backs the Creation of Islam Day…
About the author
Thank you Hawaii for giving us Obama and the Islam day.
To Legislators in Hawaii. Are you part of the United States of America? First First of all you are an American I hope. let us support all American
holidays. We are primarily Christians.
This doesn’t surprise me in the least.
The very fact that they won’t release that birth certificate tells me there is something wrong with it.
The audacity of this administration is astounding.
On another topic, I heard that Pelosi will not bring the bill concerning the fairness doctrine to the floor, thereby essentially blocking any vote on it.
Our America is slipping through our fingers right in front of us.
and another thing,…I seem to have heard that these are the people that treat women like cattle.
to admin,… you might want to consider adding http://www.vetsonthewatch.com to your blogroll.
Ex-Navy, and runs a good site.
My bad, the above address takes you to veterinary sites.
http://WWW.vetsonthewatch.wordpress.com is the correct address
LOL… thanks for reminding me to update the blogroll. I visit Vets on the Watch often (you can see how many times I add links to the posts in my own posts). Great blog site.
*ties string around finger tighter to remember to do that this week*
Sean’s a good guy.
What do YOU think of Pelosi’s attempt to block legislation on the fairness doctrine?
My earlier statement came from a guest on the Glenn Beck program this morning.
This could be modified to apply to internet sites like this.
In all honesty, I am not a fan of organized religion in the least. I’m pretty much a “to each his own” type and instead of looking at what religion a person is, I tend to look at how they treat their fellow human beings as evident on pages 75-78 of my book. I have no personal quam with Islam but am rather troubled that a state government would sign into law a particular religion having its own holiday. There’s a reason that America has separation of church and state… Every religion in America has its own special holidays that we as a nation are aware of and respect. Can’t we just stick with that?
We should all be thrilled that hawaii has decided to secularize an entire religion by creating a holiday. This kind of appeasement will surely win them over, right? Who wouldn’t want to celebrate Islam Day by having a big Luau and eating pork, doing the hula in grass skirts, and drinking a couple Blue Hawaiians. We can start creating things to slowly secularize their religion. We can gather around the Jihad tree and on Islam Eve hang our jackets on the car door for Bin Laden Clause. If you’re really good he’ll leave you 77 virgins. We’ll adorn everything with images of Muhammed in his honor. Certainly this will be a great cause for celebration in every Islamic country. If only they had made it 14 days earlier. That would have just been icing on the cake. Preferably Rum cake.
[...] McClure Davidson of Frugal Café Blog Zone opines: Why did Hawaii’s elected officials feel so compelled to create this day? Is it a [...]
Being a Citizen of Hawaii I am a totally Blown-Away and everyone I know is likewise! Why they did this??? This could only do more Harm then Good to our Tourist Market! We don’t see the connection ??? What is the point??? Linda Lingal What are you doing about this! We have enough State Holidays and you complain about our State Funds and you add more holidays! you need to start getting rid of them starting with this new one! Let the people of Hawaii vote to keep Islam Holiday? I Think it will be Stopped! Aloha!
Maybe that explains why Hawaii will not produce a legitimate Husene Obama birth certificate for the whole country to see.