2004 -- S 2981 ======LC02951 ======STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2004 ______

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PAKISTAN RESOLUTION PASSED ON MARCH 23, 1940

Introduced By: Senators Issa, Tassoni, Perry, Pichardo, and Parella

Date Introduced: March 23, 2004

Referred To: Senate held on desk

1 WHEREAS, During the period of time that India was attempting to gain their

2 independence from Great Britain, the subcontinent was also torn by an internal conflict between

3 its Hindu and Muslim populations. Each of these two communities wanted a separate area over

4 which they could rule; and

5 WHEREAS, The Muslims of India struggled to establish a separate homeland on the

6 basis of the Two Nation Theory. Despite their long association and interactions at various levels,

7 the Hindus and Muslims of India had remained two separate and distinct sociocultural entities;

8 and

9 WHEREAS, On March 23, 1940, the All India Muslim League, at Lahore, adopted a

10 resolution calling for a separate, independent Muslim homeland. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder

11 of Pakistan, working alongside leaders of the Indian subcontinent, freed Muslims from 200 years

12 of oppression under the British rule, paving the way for millions of Muslims to consider self-rule

13 and governance that would allow them to live freely according to their own religious and political

14 ideologies in life; and

15 WHEREAS, This day, called Pakistan Day, is observed in order to commemorate the

16 passage of the resolution. It is a national holiday in Pakistan, celebrated throughout the country

17 with parades, military air shows, patriotic singing, and traditional dances; and

18 WHEREAS, After passage of the Pakistan Resolution, the Muslims of India embarked on

19 a path leading to a full independent homeland. On August 14, 1947, under the provisions of the 1 Indian Independence Act from Great Britain, a predominantly Muslim Pakistan was established;

2 and

3 WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders of Pakistani lineage proudly remember their roots and the

4 strong cultural heritage they have brought with them from throughout the four provinces of

5 Pakistan; they identify with the history of Rhode Island, which was also formed on the basis of

6 religious freedom nearly one hundred fifty years ago; they feel a kinship with the people of this

7 state who are their neighbors, colleagues and friends; now, therefore be it

8 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

9 hereby commemorates the 64th anniversary of the adoption of the Pakistan Resolution. We

10 congratulate the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as they celebrate this momentous day

11 and recognize the myriad of significant contributions Pakistanis and Pak-Americans ha ve

12 provided to our communities and the State of Rhode Island.

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