Central Jersey Masjids Meeting at Masjid Al-Wali
The Central Jersey Masjids Meeting took place on July 30, 2023, at Masjid Al-Wali, bringing together representatives from approximately 33 Muslim organizations from Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, and Union counties. The primary objective of the gathering was to discuss proposed activities for Muslim Heritage Month in Schools, Libraries, and Community events. The meeting aimed to foster collaboration among various Muslim organizations, enabling them to support and share resources to make Muslim Heritage Month a successful and impactful event in the local community.
Opening Remarks: The meeting commenced with welcoming speeches from the representatives of Masjid Al-Wali and key members of the organizing committee. They emphasized the significance of commemorating Muslim Heritage Month and the potential impact of collaborative efforts.
Proposed Activities for Muslim Heritage Month: Each organization was given the opportunity to present its ideas for activities during Muslim Heritage Month. The proposed activities included educational workshops, cultural exhibits, art displays, lectures, interfaith dialogues, and community service initiatives.
Group Discussions and Brainstorming: Participants were divided into smaller groups by county to discuss and network. The aim was to network, meet new people and identify potential overlaps and opportunities for synergy between different organizations.
Sharing of Resources: A major focus of the meeting was on how each organization could help one another and share resources to ensure the success of the events. Some organizations offered venues for hosting events, while others offered financial support and promotion through their social media channels and newsletters.
Coordination and Collaboration: The meeting stressed the importance of coordination and collaboration among the participating organizations. Representatives exchanged contact information and discussed forming subcommittees to handle specific aspects of the event planning, such as logistics, publicity, and engagement with schools and libraries.
Outreach to Educational Institutions and Libraries: The attendees discussed strategies to approach schools and libraries to get their involvement in celebrating Muslim Heritage Month. Suggestions included reaching out to school administrators, parent-teacher associations, and library management to propose workshops, book displays, and cultural events.
Engaging with the Community: The participating organizations explored ways to engage the broader community in their activities. It was decided that a joint effort, such as a community fair or open house, would be organized to introduce the public to Muslim culture, heritage, and values.
Interfaith Initiatives: The meeting emphasized the importance of building bridges between the Muslim community and other faith groups. Plans were made to organize interfaith dialogues, where representatives from different religious communities could unite to foster understanding and harmony.
The Central Jersey Masjids Meeting at Masjid Al-Wali on July 30, 2023, was a productive and collaborative event. The representatives from the 33 Muslim organizations demonstrated a solid commitment to making Muslim Heritage Month a significant and inclusive celebration. Through active participation, open discussions, and a willingness to support one another, the meeting laid the groundwork for a successful month-long series of events and activities.
The gathering provided a platform for planning Muslim Heritage Month and fostered stronger bonds between the Muslim organizations in Central Jersey. The spirit of cooperation and resource-sharing displayed during the meeting will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on future community initiatives.
With the proposed activities taking shape and the various organizations pooling their resources and efforts, Muslim Heritage Month in New Jersey promises to be a memorable and enriching experience for all community members, irrespective of their faith or background. The group showed interest and recommended meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be hosted by ICSR (Dar-ul Arqam), date yet to be determined.
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