CAIR-NJ Leads Coalition Urging NJ State Assembly to Pass Muslim Heritage Month Resolution
(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 3/1/2023) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and more than 70 organizations and religious institutions, known as the “Muslim Heritage Month Coalition,” today urged the New Jersey State Assembly to pass the Assembly Joint Resolution AJR194, which designates January of each year as Muslim Heritage Month in New Jersey.
The coalition today wrote to Assembly State and Local Government committee members: Chair Assemblyman Verrelli (LD-15), Vice-Chair Assemblywoman Swain (LD-38), Assemblywoman Jaffer (LD-16), Assemblyman Simsonsen (LD-1), and Assemblyman Thomson (LD-30) urging them to hold a public hearing on Assembly Joint Resolution AJR194.
They also wrote to Assembly Speaker Coughlin (LD-19) urging him to facilitate passing the joint resolution on the Assembly side, so Governor Murphy can sign it into law, making New Jersey one of a few pioneering states committed to the celebration and recognition of American Muslims.
Earlier this month, the resolution advanced through the Senate but remains in the Assembly.
SEE: Pennacchio Bill to Establish Muslim Heritage Month in NJ Advances
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Manager Madina P. Ouedraogo, MPA-PNP said:
“Given the growing population of Muslims in New Jersey, it is only appropriate that the New Jersey State Legislature recognize and acknowledge the diverse and vibrant Muslim community.
“While we celebrate the State Senate’s passing of Senate Joint Resolution [SJR105], in tandem with our coalition partners and community members, we are calling on the Assembly State and Local Government Committee to hold a public hearing on the Assembly Joint Resolution [AJR194] and release it from the Assembly Committee so that it may move to an Assembly voting session and pass.”
In a statement, Council of Imams in New Jersey Convener Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef said:
“The history of Islam and the growing Muslim Community in New Jersey is rich in the lessons of how the human spirit struggles against social, political, and economic adversity to successfully establish a model life working to serve G_d and bring forward a model human society.
“The late Muslim American Leader, Imam W. Deen Mohammed, encouraged Muslims to establish the best spiritual and social life possible reflecting the high morals and ethics taught by the Qur’an, G_d’s Word, and exhibit in practice the model traditional life of Muhammad the Prophet (prayers and Peace be upon him). This month acknowledges and celebrates these honorable objectives for Muslims and all citizens of New Jersey.”
In a statement, NJ Muslim Organizer Jessica Berrocal said:
“We ask elected officials to make history with Resolution AJR 194 in order to show the tapestry of New Jersey.
“The resolution began four years ago, when I met with Assembly Angela Mcknight and Annette Chaparro to advocate for our children’s acceptance in public schools and to raise awareness of Muslim children’s religious identities.”
The coalition letter sent to state legislators states, in part:
“From restrictions placed on Muslims to practice their faith, to profiling, bullying, bias incidents, hate crimes, and discrimination stemming from a lack of understanding of Islam, the need for a Muslim Heritage Month is crucial.
“The resolution to designate January as Muslim Heritage Month will play a critical role in public education and help discuss and celebrate American Muslims in culturally competent ways. By extension, this can help push back against anti-Muslim bigotry.”
SEE: Letter to Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin
SEE: Letter to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
Coalition Partners:
32BJ SEIU
Alchemy Consulting LLC
AlGhazaly School Inc – Jersey City
American Muslims for Palestine – New Jersey
Bakka Corp – Jersey City
Bergen County Islamic Education Center
Black Lives Matter Paterson
Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University
Center for Security, Race and Rights
Council of Imams in New Jersey
Darul Islah Masjid of Teaneck
Eid Committee
Fair Share Housing Center
Faith in New Jersey
Green Muslims of New Jersey
IMI
Indian American Muslim Council
Indonesian Muslim Society in America
Islamic Center of Ewing
Islamic Council of Greater Trenton
Islamic Center of Jersey City
Islamic Center of Morris County
Islamic Center of Passaic County
Islamic Center of Union County
Islamic Circle of North America
ICNA Council for Social Justice – New Jersey
Islamic Community Cultural Center
Islamic Society of Basking Ridge
Islamic Society of Central Jersey
Jam E Masjid of Boonton
League of Women Voters of New Jersey
Make the Road New Jersey
Masjid Al-Iman of Jersey City
Masjid As’Habul Yameen Inc
Masjidullah, Inc.
Masjid Muhammad – Newark
Masjid Shuhada
Masjid Ul Wadud of Montclair
Moroccan American Recreational and Organizational Council
Muslim Center of Middlesex County
Muslim Center of Somerset County
Muslim Community of New Jersey
Muslim Foundation Inc
Muslim League of Voters of New Jersey
NAACP New Jersey State Conference
National Domestic Workers Alliance – New Jersey
New Afrika Halal Group
New Brunswick Islamic Center
Newark Communities for Accountable Policing
New Freedom Works, Inc
New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice
New Jersey Citizen Action
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association
New Jersey League of Conservation Voters
New Jersey Muslim Officers Society
New Jersey Policy Perspective
New Jersey Working Families Party
NIA Masjid & Community Center
NJ Sisterhood
North Hudson Islamic Center
Northern New Jersey Jewish Voice for Peace
North New Jersey Muslim Federation
Occupy Bergen County
Palestinian American Community Center
Salvation and Social Justice
Sikh Coalition
Shia Assocation of North America
Sheefa Pharmacy
Teaching While Muslim
United We Serve
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Dina Sayedahmed, dsayedahmed@cair.com, 551-221-5592
