January 2025: Muslim American Heritage Month

WHEREAS, Muslims have inhabited the land of the United States since before the country’s founding. Muslim-majority Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States of America. Together, the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship in 1786, which remains America’s longest-standing unbroken treaty; and,

WHEREAS, Muslim Americans have played significant roles in the founding, development, and prosperity of the United States of America. Today, they are industry-leading entrepreneurs and executives across America’s economy, including the CEO of Ethan Allen Furniture, Farooq Kathwari; CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshashi; CEO of Flex-N-Gate and US sports tycoon Shahid Khan; and,

WHEREAS, in arts, entertainment and sports, Muslim Americans including Halima Aden, Mehershala Ali, Muhammad Ali, Bella Hadid, Imam, Dave Chappelle, Tania Gunadi, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Rizwan Manji, Ibitihaj Muhammad, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, Enes Kanter, and legendary fashion designer Naeem Khan, have all excelled in their fields; and,

WHEREAS, Muslim Americans have been critical at all stages in the life of hip-hop, today’s most popular music genre in America. These include early visionaries such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Lakim Shabazz, and Afrika Islam. Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, Mos Def, Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Beanie Siegel, and Q Tip continued to shape hip hop in the 1990s; and,

WHEREAS, Muslim-Americans have been crucial in scientific  findings and pioneering innovation, including Rouzbeh Yassini, founder of the cable modem; Fazlur Rahman Khan, renowned architect who reinvented the skyline in major cities; and Anousheh Ansari, NASA astronaut and recipient of the “Space Pioneer Award”; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan do hereby proclaim January 2025 as Muslim American Heritage Month in Michigan.