CAIR-NJ to Support Muslim Heritage Month Resolution Vote at State Assembly
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 03/29/2023) — On Thursday, Mar. 30, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) will join New Jersey community leaders at the Assembly Chambers in support of the Muslim Heritage Month resolution [AJR194]. The State Assembly is expected to vote on the joint resolution at 1pm.
WHAT: Muslim Heritage Month Resolution Vote at NJ State Assembly
WHEN: Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Assembly Chambers, State House Annex, 125 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Dina Sayedahmed, dsayedahmed@cair.com, 551-221-5592
The resolution, which designates January of each year as “Muslim Heritage Month” in New Jersey, calls upon local government agencies and organizations to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and educational programs that pay homage to the growing American Muslim community.
SEE: CAIR-NJ, Coalition Partners to Testify at State House in Support of Muslim Heritage Month Resolution
SEE: CAIR-NJ Leads Coalition Urging NJ State Assembly to Pass Muslim Heritage Month Resolution
New Jersey has the highest percentage of Muslim residents in the U.S., at 3.5 percent, according to the 2020 US Religion Census and the Association of Religion Data Archives. Earlier this month, two Muslim women who wear hijab, the Honoraries Nadia Kahf and Dalya Youssef, were appointed to the New Jersey Superior Court bench. New Jersey also leads the way for local representation, with over 40 Muslim elected officials. The state also elected the first ever Muslims to the New Jersey State Legislature, Sadaf Jaffer (LD-16) and Shama Haidar (LD-37), last year.
Still, however, anti-Muslim incidents are on the rise. CAIR-NJ received over 150 calls for help in 2022 alone. This resolution seeks to push back against anti-Muslim bigotry by celebrating American Muslims and shedding a positive light on the community.
The resolution is sponsored by Assemblywoman McKnight (LD-31), Assemblywoman Speight (LD-29) and Assemblywoman Chaparro (LD-33) and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Jaffer (LD-16), Assemblyman Stanley (LD-18), Assemblywoman Haider (LD-37), Assemblyman DePhillips (LD-40), Assemblyman Atkins (LD-20) and Assemblywoman Park (LD-37).
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Photo: CAIR-NJ and coalition partners at the Assembly State and Local Government Committee Hearing on March 20th, 2023 in Trenton, NJ during which the Assembly Joint Resolution to designate January as Muslim Heritage Month [AJR194] passed unanimously.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Dina Sayedahmed, dsayedahmed@cair.com, 551-221-5592
