NJ Will Celebrate Its First ‘Muslim Heritage Month’ In 2024

NEW JERSEY — There is now a “Muslim Heritage Month” in the Garden State.

Last weekend, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a joint resolution, SJR105/AJR194, which names the month of January as “Muslim Heritage Month” in New Jersey. The designation aims to “promote awareness and appreciation of the many contributions of the state’s Muslim community.”

New Jersey has the highest percentage of Muslim residents in the nation.

The bipartisan legislation passed a vote in the New Jersey Assembly in April after clearing the Senate in February. Democratic and Republican lawmakers on both sides of the aisle unanimously supported the bill in both chambers. Read More: NJ Bill That Would Create 'Muslim Heritage Month' Leaps Forward

Murphy signed the legislation at an Eid celebration at the governor’s mansion on Saturday, marking the end of Ramadan, one of Islam’s most important holidays.

• See Related: When Is Ramadan 2023 (5 Things To Know About Islam Holy Month)
• See Related: Gov. Murphy Visits Essex County As Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Fitr

“New Jersey takes great pride in its diversity and we will continue to recognize and celebrate the positive impact Muslims have made, and continue to make, to the advancement of this state,” Murphy said.

Primary sponsors of SJR105/AJR194 include Senators Joe Pennacchio and Brian Stack, and Assemblymembers Angela McKnight, Shanique Speight and Annette Chaparro.

Pennacchio, a Republican from the state’s 26th District, pointed out that there are nearly 300,000 Muslim Americans in New Jersey.

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

Zainab Syed, president of American Muslims for Democracy – one of the organizations that pushed for the creation of New Jersey’s Muslim Heritage Month – said the state will be the fourth in the U.S. to recognize the American Muslim legacy.

“As a state that has the highest percentage of Muslims in the nation, we are overjoyed to have a month that celebrates and recognizes our community in a positive light and hope that this recognition further pushes the engagement of the Muslim community in society,” Syed said.

Other praise for the designation came from:

S. Nadia Hussain, co-founder of BAWDI – “The Muslim American community is a diverse and vibrant part of the multicultural tapestry that is New Jersey. The designation of January in celebration of Muslim heritage is wonderful way to educate and enrich the cultural knowledge of all New Jersey residents while celebrating the contributions Muslim Americans have made and continue to make to our great state.”

CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut – “This is a historic moment. For too long, we’ve seen damaging and irresponsible depictions of Muslims. These narratives have tangible consequences, but now, we will be seeing the counter and, hopefully soon, prevailing narrative: One that highlights, celebrates, and acknowledges the American Muslim community in New Jersey. We are happy to take this small step towards pushing back against anti-Muslim bigotry, and we are excited for what’s to come. We also want to thank the governor and his administration for their support of this resolution."

Jessica Berrocal, president and founder of NJ Sisterhood – “This is a significant step towards promoting tolerance and acceptance among communities, and it serves as a reminder that discrimination and hate have no place in New Jersey … It is crucial that we acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of the Muslim community to our state's diverse heritage. Muslim Heritage Month not only recognizes the rich cultural contributions of Muslims but also creates an opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of the religion, customs, and traditions. Additionally, it is crucial that we protect the rights of Muslim children and ensure that they can express their religious identity without fear of discrimination or bullying. By advocating for inclusivity and raising awareness around Muslim Heritage Month, we can foster a more welcoming and accepting environment for all children … We hope that other states will follow and implement similar initiatives to promote mutual respect and understanding among all people.”

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

“[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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