Annual Ridgewood-Glen Rock Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Is Jan. 16

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — A noted Muslim scholar will speak at the 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Jan. 16.

Imam Zaid Shakir will be the guest speaker at the interfaith worship service. The theme of this year's service is "Together in Hope." The celebration honors King's life and legacy of nonviolence and as a civil rights leader.

The service will be at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“Imam Zaid Shakir is a highly respected voice on Islam and African-American issues and a leader in the emergence of a uniquely western Islamic tradition,” said Alice Newton, co-chairperson of the committee that runs the event. “At a time when civil rights issues dominate the headlines, we welcome his insights and inspiration as we share Dr. King’s hopeful message of finding common ground and working together to create positive change.”

Shakir is co-founder, trustee and a faculty member of Zaytuna College, the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States.

The celebration began as an effort to unite area residents, regardless of their faith or ethnic background, in worship and action towards peace. More than 20 religious groups, local government and civic organizations support and participate in the celebration.

The celebration will begin with an interfaith worship service at 10 a.m. with a rally at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at 12:15 p.m. The program will also feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers.

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Photo: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., — Public domain image