:Islam Day (Hawaii)
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name = Islam Day
|type = islam
|longtype =
|image = Star and Crescent.svg
|caption = Star and crescent
|official_name =
|nickname =
|observedby =
|begins =
|ends =
|duration = 1 day
|frequency = annual
|scheduling = same day each year
|date = September 24
|week_ordinal =
|weekday =
|month =
|date2007 =
|date2008 =
|date2009 =
|date2010 =
|celebrations = Fairs, Educational programs about Islam
|observances =
|significance = Arrival of Mohammad to Medina and recognition of Islam and Muslims.
|relatedto = Hijra, Buddha Day, Confucius Day, Aloha Festivals, Makahiki
}}
Islam Day was a day of recognition for Islam and Muslims in Hawaii on September 24, 2009, designated by a symbolic resolution of the State Legislature.
Establishment
Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution 100 to establish the day was proposed by Lyla Berg and passed unanimously on May 6, 2009.{{cite news |title= Islam Day draws heat for isles |author= Susan Essoyan |date= May 15, 2009 |newspaper= Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url= http://archives.starbulletin.com/content/20090515_Islam_Day_draws_heat_for_isles |access-date= November 24, 2010 }}
The Hawaii Senate passed the resolution 22 to 3{{cite news |title= Hawaii lawmakers create 'Islam Day' |author= Associated Press |date=May 6, 2009 |newspaper= Honolulu Advertiser |url= http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/May/06/br/hawaii90506084.html |access-date= November 24, 2010 }} to recognize "the rich religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions of the Islamic world". It was set for November 21 the founding of Islam, but moved to September 24 on the day Mohammad arrived in Medina in 644, allegedly because it conflicted with Aloha (Makahiki) Festivals. It was a state-designated day of recognition and not a holiday and no government funds were designated to it, to preserve the "separation of church and state". Muslims and supporters have seen it as an opportunity to repair the image of Islam, damaged by Islamic extremism. The public in Hawaii had a largely indifferent reaction to the news of the new day.
First Celebration
On September 24, 2009, Hawaii celebrated its first Islam Day with events held at the University of Hawaii and around the islands. At Ala Moana Beach Park a festival was held by the Muslim Association of Hawaii{{cite news |title= Hawaii celebrates Islam Day at beach |date= September 24, 2009 |newspaper= Honolulu Advertiser |url= http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Sep/24/br/hawaii90924072.html |access-date= November 24, 2010 }} with more than 1000 people attending. "We expected 200 to 300, so we're very pleased with the turnout." Twelve police and guards were present but no protest or disturbance took place.{{cite news |title= Islam Day honors commonality |author= Curtis Lum |date= September 25, 2009 |newspaper= Honolulu Advertiser |url= http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Sep/25/ln/hawaii909250353.html |access-date= November 24, 2010 }}