Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Olympia City Council proclaimed July as Muslim American Heritage Month, as the governing body reaffirmed the city’s commitment to the Muslim community.
A proclamation describes freedom of religion as a fundamental American value and recognizes the contributions of Muslim Americans across a wide range of fields, including academia, business, health care, law and military service.
The proclamation, which was issued at a council meeting on July 14, also acknowledges that Muslim Americans have faced prejudice, discrimination, xenophobia and Islamophobia.
According to the proclamation, Olympia is home to a vibrant Muslim community, with the Islamic Center of Olympia welcoming worshippers from dozens of ethnicities.
The council also reaffirmed the city’s commitment to combating anti-Muslim rhetoric through education, community engagement and meaningful action.
Olympia Social Justice and Equity Commissioner Dr. Amna Qazi said the proclamation marks the fourth consecutive year the city has celebrated Muslim American Heritage Month.
“Muslim Heritage Month means new understanding and lasting support,” Qazi said. “Our city is home to all. We share this joy as our diverse City of Olympia united on faith and community.”
She said that more than 100,000 Muslims live in Washington and highlighted their contributions to medicine, science, civic leadership, philanthropy and the economy. She urged residents to reject hate and strengthen relationships across communities.
Qazi also encouraged residents to stand together, understand and love each other.
“By building friendships, we create a safer place for everyone to live and grow," she said.
Legislative District 22 Representative Lisa Parshley, who attended the meeting, reflected on the origins of the proclamation four years ago, recalling advice from her grandfather.
“My grandfather once said to me, ‘If you learn somebody’s name, they cannot be your enemy. You cannot hate them,’" Parshley said.
For Parshley, the city’s recognition of Muslim American Heritage Month helped residents become more familiar with the Muslim community and its traditions. She also noted the effort contributed to later state action recognizing the Eid holidays in Washington.
Mayor Dontae Payne thanked Qazi for helping strengthen relationships between the city and the Islamic Center of Olympia, which he said represents more than 40 ethnicities from Olympia and throughout Thurston County.
Payne said the annual proclamation is an important step toward addressing prejudice directed at Muslim communities.
“We have a lot of work to undo a lot of the harm that has been inflicted upon the Muslim community for many, many years, especially post 9/11,” Payne said. “What this is about is recognizing what the Muslim community is really about, which is faith of peace and love.”
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Wesley
25 years after the 9-11 terror attacks . . . . .
Friday, July 17 Report this
CobraCommander
Wesley - Do you ever have anything nice to say about literally anything?
Friday, July 17 Report this
ddttwo2
When are we going to celebrate Catholic American Heritage Month?
Friday, July 17 Report this
wellnow77
This is a good thing! Faith, Peace and Love to ALL people.
Friday, July 17 Report this
Chris_R
This is evidently a LGBTQ+ friendly maneuver.
Saturday, July 18 Report this
Chappellg
Chris_R, in what universe does a Muslim American Heritage celebration have anything at all to do with LGBTQ+ support?
Saturday, July 18 Report this
JW
Certainly something similar happens in the Muslim-dominated countries. "Jewish Heritage month" is a popular one.
The left is committed to national suicide.
Saturday, July 18 Report this
Laceyreader11
From some of the comments posted, I see that ignorance lives, along with mean-spirited social media posts.
Saturday, July 18 Report this
ThomasPain
Very strange to see our City prioritize this. I wish the Muslim community nothing but good fortune, but they make up less than 1% of the states population and certainly are a very tiny minority within the City of Olympia. In addition, with June being Pride Month, to bookend it with a celebration of a religion and a people that have historically been extremely against any legal protections or acknowledgment for Pride folks seems like a very real contradiction of the City's other expressed values.
Saturday, July 18 Report this
Snevets
Thank you for recognizing the Muslim community.
Once again so much stupidity & ignorance in the comments. For all you pious folks on here do you remember one of the golden rules..If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing.
Saturday, July 18 Report this
wolfmanner
That is disgusting. This city council needs to be kicked out. "Peace and Love" they" say ! BS BS.
Sunday, July 19 Report this
wolfmanner
When are we going to celebrate European Heritage month ????????????????
Sunday, July 19 Report this
HappyOlympian
Got no issue with Muslims....OCC a bunch of clowns and not the funny type.
Monday, July 20 Report this
SC4011
I’ve seen a lot of kindness from Muslims. Sounds great.
Monday, July 20 Report this
ViaLocal
ddttwo2 - probably when Catholic churches stop participating in & covering up the abuse of children -- probably never? if we look at present and past statistics
Monday, July 20 Report this
ViaLocal
Happy to hear City of Olympia welcomes all
Monday, July 20 Report this
ViaLocal
European Heritage month ahaha
You mean white supremacy month?
Look at the hating you do on other cultures literally all of the time. You just said Muslim heritage month was disgusting, but we should celebrate European Heritage month?? How is one disgusting and the other not?
Wolfmanner - YOU ARE A RACIST.
Monday, July 20 Report this
wolfmanner
VIALocal you are a sick puppy. Seek help .
Monday, July 20 Report this
CobraCommander
wolfmanner you should check yourself. Nobody else here supports Mr. Epstein's favorite client but you.
Monday, July 20 Report this