NJ Bill That Would Create ‘Muslim Heritage Month’ Leaps Forward

NEW JERSEY — Proposed legislation in New Jersey that would create an annual “Muslim Heritage Month” recently took a big step forward, with advocates cheering it as a watershed moment for Muslim rights in the Garden State.

If it becomes law, SJR105/AJR194 will designate each January as Muslim Heritage Month in the state of New Jersey in an attempt to “respectfully acknowledge and promote awareness and appreciation of Muslim Americans and recognize the many contributions of the state’s Muslim community.”

The bipartisan legislation passed a vote in the New Jersey Assembly last week after clearing the Senate in February. Democratic and Republican lawmakers on both sides of the aisle unanimously supported the bill in both chambers.

After the bill passed the Senate, Joseph Pennacchio – a Republican lawmaker who earned an award for his “conservative” voting record in 2019 – said there are nearly 300,000 Muslim Americans living in New Jersey, including several current and former elected officials who are “dedicated to public service” in their communities.

“It is long past time to recognize our Muslim brothers and sisters for their contributions to the diverse fabric of New Jersey,” Pennacchio said.

The proposed legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy.

Advocates including American Muslims for Democracy cheered the bill’s passage in the Assembly last week, with the nonprofit calling it “a historic moment for Muslim rights” in New Jersey. The group said it took years of “tireless” outreach from advocates to get the bill onto Murphy’s desk.

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) was also among the groups trumpeting the bill’s advancement.

“For the first time ever, New Jersey could be among a few states that recognize and pay homage to the American Muslim legacy,” CAIR-NJ government affairs manager Madina Ouedraogo said.

Ouedraogo cited reports that at 3.5 percent, New Jersey has the highest percentage of Muslim residents in the United States.

“It is also one of the most diverse states in the country, with nearly one in four residents identifying as immigrants,” Ouedraogo continued. “It is only appropriate that we recognize the beautiful diversity of the Garden State, and we look forward to seeing Gov. Murphy sign this resolution into action.”

There have been some major victories for the Muslim community in New Jersey in the recent past, according to CAIR-NJ:

“Earlier [in March], two Muslim women who wear hijab, the Honorable 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 elected the first-ever Muslims to the New Jersey State Legislature, Sadaf Jaffer (LD-16) and Shama Haidar (LD-37), last year.”

Despite these gains, anti-Muslim incidents are on the rise, the group added.

“CAIR-NJ received over 150 calls for help in 2022 alone,” spokespeople said. “This resolution seeks to push back against anti-Muslim bigotry by celebrating American Muslims and shedding a positive light on the community.”

Shaheen Khateeb, a member of the Indian American Muslim Council, echoed this concern in December after the bills were introduced in the Legislature.

“After Muslim communities across New Jersey – from Edison to Teaneck, to Woodridge – became the target of hateful displays and intimidation, we see the designation of Muslim Heritage Month as a major step towards combatting hate and making a marginalized group feel seen and heard,” Khateeb said.

• See Related: 220 New Jersey Hate Crimes Reported In Updated FBI Data

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