When Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, his official proclamation might have doubled as a fast-day sermon.
Traditionally there are five major obligations for all Muslims: proclamation in the oneness of Allah, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and alms-giving (charity towards the poor).
The only disputed measure tied to the war was a House resolution asking President Bush to issue a proclamation "designating a day of humility, prayer and fasting for all people of the United States".
Mr. Perry announced in June that he was inviting governors and people from across the country to join him in a day of prayer and fasting at Reliant Stadium because, as his official proclamation put it, "As Jesus prayed publicly for the benefit of others in John 11 41-42, so should we express our faith in this way".
Billed as "The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis," the rally's website lists Perry as "the initiator," citing his proclamation of the day as one of "prayer and fasting for our nation's challenges".
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and the Texas House speaker, Joe Straus, Republican of San Antonio, issued a proclamation creating a joint oversight committee on higher education governance, excellence and transparency that will extend beyond the fast-approaching close of the regular legislative session.
But while it was up, the fast food chain (or whoever had access to its social accounts) even went so far as pinning the bold proclamation to the top of its page for good measure.
Approved 410 to 14, March 27. 2. Proclamation: rocVote on a resolution asking President Bush to issue a proclamation "designating a day of humility, prayer and fasting for all the people of the United States" and to call all Americans "to seek guidance from God to achieve a greater understanding of our own failings".
Approved 410 to 14, March 27. 2. Proclamation: Vote on a resolution asking President Bush to issue a proclamation "designating a day of humility, prayer and fasting for all the people of the United States" and to call all Americans "to seek guidance from God to achieve a greater understanding of our own failings".
A proclamation is issued.
