By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
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 the September 11, 2001 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 September 24, 2009, as Islam Day passed the Senate on a 22-3 vote. It had previously passed the state House of Representatives.
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.
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store