CAIR-NJ Welcomes Senator Booker’s Resolution to Recognize Muslim-American Heritage Month
South Plainfield, NJ: The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) Aug 8 welcomed Senator Cory Booker’s Senate resolution to recognize July 2022 as Muslim-American Heritage Month.
The resolution recognizes the importance of American Muslim figures, including El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Imam Warith Deen Mohamed, Muhammad Ali, Ibtihaj Muhammad. It also notes American Muslims’ contributions to American society as business owners, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, humanitarians, scientists, and students. More notably, the resolution also recognizes sustained biases that American Muslims experience and calls for public education, awareness, and policies that are “culturally competent” when discussing the American Muslim community.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Muslim are not new to America — America’s first slaves were Muslim — and, as a community, we have long contributed to American society. We appreciate that this resolution recognizes generations of American Muslims, past and present.
“We also applaud the resolution’s consideration of biases that American Muslims face. It is important that our legislators do so while also drafting new policy to address this issue head on.
“New Jersey does have the highest percentage of Muslims in America and it is our hope that Senator Booker will take lead on additional initiatives targeting issues that affect the American Muslim community directly, like protection against surveillance and entrapment, relief for incarcerated Muslims, refuge for Muslims fleeing precarious living conditions in Afghanistan following the hasty US withdrawal, and civil liberty protections for all Americans.
“We look forward to further collaboration between Senator Booker and his Muslim constituents on bills that bring about positive change for the community and our nation.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. – CAIR New Jersey
