New Jersey Celebrates Muslim Heritage Month as Anti-Muslim Bias Rises Globally
Gov. Phil Murphy designated January as the month of celebration, with unanimous support from the state Legislature. The Muslim Heritage Month Coalition of NJ, a network of community organizations, said the initiative was a step toward inclusivity and cultural understanding, North Jersey reported on Friday.
“The inauguration of Muslim Heritage Month in New Jersey is more than just a series of celebrations; it’s a stride toward inclusivity and cultural understanding,” the coalition said in an online statement. “It sets a precedent for other states to follow, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating all cultural identities.”
The celebration comes at a time when Islamophobia is on the rise in many countries, including the United States, following the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, said it received 2,171 requests or complaints of bias related to Islamophobia in the first 57 days after the war began. That figure represented almost half of the total cases the group had in 2022.
According to the 2020 U.S. Religion Census and the Association of Religion Data Archives, New Jersey has about 32,000 Muslim residents, or 3.5 percent of its population. They come from various backgrounds, including South Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Read More:
Some of them have made political history in the state. Last week, two Muslim American women were sworn in as township mayors: Fozia Janjua in Mount Laurel and Eman El-Badawi in Cranbury. They joined Sadaf Jaffer, who became the nation’s first Muslim woman mayor when she led Montgomery in 2019. Ms. Jaffer also served in the New Jersey State Legislature, along with Shama Haider, another Muslim woman.
Many other Muslims hold positions in school boards, county freeholder boards, judicial seats and municipal committees across the state.
Muslim Heritage Month features a variety of events and programs to showcase the culture and achievements of Muslim Americans. Community groups are hosting music performances, libraries are sponsoring book talks and art displays, mosques and Islamic centers are inviting neighbors for communal meals and interfaith gatherings, and schools and universities are holding lectures and incorporating lessons about Islamic history into their curricula.
The coalition encourages public participation in these events, which are intended to celebrate diversity, break down stereotypes and build respect and understanding.
Source: Agencies
