Members of the township’s Muslim Association accepted a proclamation for Muslim Heritage Month at a council reorganization meeting.
Township council recognized Muslim Heritage Month at its reorganization meeting earlier this month.
Councilwoman Fozia Janjua, who served as the township’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor last year, read a proclamation citing Muslim contributions in various fields. Gov. Philip Murphy officially recognized January as Muslim Heritage Month in the state in 2023.
“Muslims are the world’s second-largest religious group practicing the Islamic faith,” Janjua read from the proclamation. “With 1.9 billion followers representing approximately 25% percent of the world’s population, there are about 3.45 million Muslims in the United States from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.”
The Muslim community represents 1.1% of the country’s population. Muslims first arrived in North America along with enslaved Africans, 30% of whom historians estimate were Muslim. Their Islamic beliefs and practices have contributed to the U.S. in numerous ways, including military service in every major war.
There are more than 300,000 Muslim Americans in New Jersey, representing one of the largest of those communities around the country, according to the proclamation. Their contributions have assisted in fortifying and strengthening the economy and the diversity of state and local communities.
“The township recognizes this monumental achievement for the Muslim community and desires to recognize the month of January of each year as Muslim Heritage Month,” Janjua read. “And the Muslim community is one of the fastest growing communities.”
The proclamation also recognizes the Muslim community’s contributions to various fields, including education, entrepreneurship, government, law, medicine, literature, drama, sculpture, music, food and culture, along with all aspects of life in the U.S. and abroad.
The township noted its gratitude to members of the Muslim community who have directly contributed to effective and better government through work in the judiciary, on council and the board of education, in township government offices and in multiple nonprofit endeavors.
“Mount Laurel will continue to keep its doors open to the Muslim community,” the proclamation said, “designating January as Muslim Heritage Month will help highlight the many achievements and successes of Mount Laurel Township’s Muslim community and further inspire younger generations to contribute towards the prosperity of our beloved city.”
The proclamation was presented to members of the township Muslim Association who were present at the meeting.
