Meet Yousef J. Saleh, Ward D Councilman
Councilman Yousef J. Saleh is a loyal son of Jersey City, born and raised in the Heights. He comes from a Palestinian family of immigrants that came to Jersey City to pursue the American Dream. He is a graduate of McNair Academic High School, Rutgers University, and Rutgers Law School. Over the years, Yousef has been involved with countless community groups in the Heights.
Q: How did you come to your position as a Councilperson of Jersey City?
A: When I graduated law school, I ran for Board of Education but came up short. I thought that was it. When the pandemic hit, the late councilman passed away and at first I didn’t want to run, but my friends reminded me “Leaders don’t really choose the time to lead.” So I put my name in the hat and I eventually got a call from the Mayor and the city council. I told them about my roots — “I am one of 8 with 7 sisters, born and raised in the Heights, Palestinian American.” And they gave me a chance.stees a little under a year ago. I was also appointed to the New Jersey State Asian Pacific Islander Commission.
Q: How did your education inspire your start in leadership and public service?
A: In school, I wanted to assist my community and push back on the narrative that was being perpetuated about Muslims during 9/11. I eventually became the president of my high school, McNair Academic High School. I went to Rutgers university and got involved with local issues that were of importance to students. I eventually ascended to be the first democratically elected president for all 5 campuses at Rutgers.
“You have to embrace who you are and basically just own it. Don’t be scared to tell people who you are and your background. If you don’t carve out a space in the world then other people will do it for you.“
Q: What does your identity mean to you?
A: I am Palestinian American. As I became older and started to see the news, the weight of the occupation and the injustices that happened over there really began to forge my identity. My identity showed me I want to live in a world where truth, justice, and the American way means that any time there is someone that is being oppressed, that we stand up for that. Growing up in the shadow of 9/11 as a Muslim American wasn’t easy. When you grow up under those hurtful things being said, you almost have an identity crisis. After experiencing that I took it upon myself to show that a Muslim American can be Captain America or Superman.
Q: What initiatives have you implemented or supported to fulfill the needs of the Muslim community in your area?
A: When I first became a councilperson and Israel was bombing Gaza, we held a rally in Journal Square for the first Palestinian flag raising. We have had 2 so far and have gotten support from every cross section of the community. This is a campaign to celebrate Palestinian identity, push back against false narratives that seek to demonize us, and elevate the perception of everything that we stand for. We have also championed Muslim Heritage Month which just recently passed, along with a resolution to commemorate it. We will hopefully be holding a series of events in January to mark the first Muslim Heritage Month in NJ. We are also working to try to make Eid a city holiday.
Q: Have you faced any challenges in your positions? How have you overcome them?
A: I faced challenges great and small. Drinking from a fire hose was the feeling I had when I first started as councilman. Because we were in a pandemic and there were so many requests, like getting people tests, vaccines and trying to reopen the economy, it was an initial challenge just getting over a once in a lifetime pandemic. Other challenges I have had were with my identity. I think the first email I ever received was an anti-Muslim email. The other challenge is trying to make the most impact for my community. I realized my ambitions for the community have to meet the reality of different stakeholders. Sometimes it means curtailing what you would like to do because there are people that are opposed to it. I’ve come to be at peace with the fact that sometimes we might not achieve 100% of our goals.
“Even though I was born and raised here and this is the only home I have ever known, I have faced some discrimination.“
Q: Have you faced any challenges in your positions? How have you overcome them?
A: I faced challenges great and small. Drinking from a fire hose was the feeling I had when I first started as councilman. Because we were in a pandemic and there were so many requests, like getting people tests, vaccines and trying to reopen the economy, it was an initial challenge just getting over a once in a lifetime pandemic. Other challenges I have had were with my identity. I think the first email I ever received was an anti-Muslim email. The other challenge is trying to make the most impact for my community. I realized my ambitions for the community have to meet the reality of different stakeholders. Sometimes it means curtailing what you would like to do because there are people that are opposed to it. I’ve come to be at peace with the fact that sometimes we might not achieve 100% of our goals.
