NJ Designates January as Muslim Heritage Month

NJMVP would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim community on the official designation of January as Muslim Heritage Month. We are proud to have been part of the effort that began on January 10, 2021, building upon Sister Jessica’s original draft resolution #135, introduced on June 11, 2018. By April 2, 2021, we successfully finalized the language for the bill AJR217/SJR110. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we remained steadfast in our commitment to this cause.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Adam Kandil for his instrumental role in reaching out to Senators Pennacchio and Bucco and organizing the NJ Muslim and GOP leadership breakfast meeting on November 21, 2022. This gathering re-energized our collective efforts and propelled us forward. The bill underwent a Senate vote on February 2, 2023, followed by an Assembly vote on March 30, 2023. Finally, on April 29, 2023, Governor Murphy signed the bill into law, marking a significant and historic moment.

We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable individuals who contributed to this momentous achievement: Adam Kandil, Al Barlas, Azra Baig, Amber Murad, Ayaz Aslam, Farook Hossain, Fozia Janjua, Hazim Yassin, Hira Sheikh, Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, Jimmy Small, Madina Ouedraogo, Mahmood Alam, Mohamed Khairullah, Muhammad Hashami, Mohamad Zubair, Nadia Hussain, Nick Saleem, Sadaf Jaffer, Selaedin Maksut, Zainab Syed, and countless friends who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to push this initiative forward.

Looking ahead, we are determined to continue our efforts with the next important milestone: the Islamophobia bill A465/S2368. Together, we aim to address and combat Islamophobia, fostering a society of understanding and inclusivity. Insha’Allah, we are confident that our collective dedication will lead us to achieve further progress in the coming days.

Best Regards,
NJMVP Team