WASHINGTON: Representative Al Green of Texas ‑ backed by Representatives Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Andre Carson ‑ moved a resolution in the United States Congress to recognize Islam as a major religion, which this group said promoted peace and harmony.
Green, a Texas Democrat, is also a member of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus. He opposed President Trump’s order to ban immigration from Muslim countries and a 2015 move to brand Islam as a radical faith.
The House received the resolution, which aims to foster better understanding and respect for the Islamic faith within American society and referred it to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The text covers basic tenets of Islam and practices and traditions of the Muslim community, pointing out that the word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God” and “peace”.
There are approximately two billion Muslims worldwide of which 3,500,000 Muslims live in the US.