Concerned Citizens Speak Out Against Commission’s Ramadan Proclamation

CHARLOTTE, NC — “I believe that it’s an encroachment on the constitution, or constitutional rights,” said concerned citizens, Isaac Losh.

Isaac Losh wrote a memo to County Commissioners Wednesday asking they rescind the Ramadan proclamation. He says because there was no public discussion weeks ago he didn’t know the county passed it when they did and he’s not alone.

“It begins to open a bit of a problem with the whole separation of church and state and state recognized religion,” said one concerned citizen.

Several members of the faith communities and concerned citizens showed up at Tuesday night’s meeting to express opposition.

“Unless the commission is prepared to be in the business of creating 500 proclamations then they should not create one,” said Losh.

Commissioner Jim Puckett, Bill James and Matthew Ridenhour voted against the proclamation.

“A proclamation is a gesture of recognition,” said County Commissioner, Pat Cotham.

Commissioner Pat Cotham supports the proclamation and says though she doesn’t know of any proclamations for any other religions she’d have no problem with it.

“People said well you don’t do this for Christmas and I’m like, well we do, we decorate our building we give holidays we’re closed, that’s a recognition,” said Cotham.

Charlotte resident and Muslim BJ Murphy says he thinks the opposition is from ignorance of it’s meaning.

“There’s nothing wrong with making a proclamation they didn’t make it the official religion of Charlotte they were just acknowledging the holy month of Ramadan which I think was a beautiful gesture,” said Murphy.