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College Park council delays Muslim American Heritage Month proclamation after procedural dispute
Summary
After debate on process and notice, the City of College Park moved its full proclamation list off tonight's consent agenda and did not adopt a Muslim American Heritage Month proclamation; community leaders urged immediate approval and the council directed staff to return the item next week for further consideration.
The College Park Mayor and Council on Jan. 6 declined to adopt a new Muslim American Heritage Month proclamation tonight after a procedural dispute about agenda notice and packet availability. Instead, the council voted to remove the full list of proclamations from the consent agenda and move them to next week's work session for review.
Councilmember Mackey moved to pull the proclamations from tonight's consent packet, a motion the council approved after roll call. Councilmember Hernandez later offered a separate motion to add the Muslim American Heritage Month proclamation to the action agenda for immediate adoption; council members raised concerns about the late distribution of the draft and due process before taking that vote.
Residents who came to the meeting urged prompt approval. Dr. Zainab Jodhry of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told the council: “It's very disheartening to hear that there are any reservations to something as simple as a Muslim American heritage month,” and said the recognition affirms that Muslim residents belong in the community. Jamil Alam Johnson, president of the Prince George's County Muslim Council, described the resolution as consistent with a recent Maryland General Assembly action and said College Park stood with its Muslim residents in past controversies.
Councilmembers who opposed immediate adoption framed their objections around process and transparency. “We just received a version of a proclamation today,” Councilmember Mitchell said during debate, adding that new members of the council should have adequate time to review and propose amendments. City Attorney Anderson clarified the public comment rules, noting that removing an item from consent would allow public comment under the non-agenda section but that adoption at a later special session would require a formal vote process.
Mayor Fazil Khedeer and staff said they hoped the council would be able to consider the proclamation at a special session or at next week's work session (which may be followed by a special session to take action), providing time for wider review and possible amendment. The council did not adopt the proclamation tonight; staff and council members said they would work with the community to return the item as early as next week.
