NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The office of Paterson, New Jersey's mayor, and the Islamic Center of Passaic County, a non-profit organization, announced that they will be distributing food in celebration of Muslim Heritage Month on Wednesday as January comes to an end.
Last year, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a resolution declaring January as "Muslim Heritage Month." This move, supported by both the Governor and the Legislature, was meant to recognize and celebrate the contributions of New Jersey's Muslim community, a broader effort to appreciate the diverse religious and cultural traditions in the state.
“New Jersey greatly benefits from the patriotism, philanthropy, advocacy, civic engagement, business, and culture of Muslim Americans and Muslim American organizations in our state,” Murphy had said in a statement last year. “I am proud to designate January of each year as Muslim Heritage Month as it will shine a light on the rich histories, cultures, and shared principles of Muslim Americans. New Jersey takes great pride in its diversity and we will continue to recognize and celebrate the positive impact Muslims have made, and continue to make, to the advancement of this state.”
Paterson, known for having the largest Muslim population in the state, is celebrating its diverse cultural heritage. American Muslim adults make up 3% of New Jersey’s population, according to a Pew Research Center Religious Landscape study.
The event will be held at the Islamic Center of Passaic County, located at 152 Derrom Ave., starting at 6 p.m.
Mayor Andre Sayegh will present the Key to the City to Imam Dr. Mohammad Qatanani, recognizing his contributions to the community, according to a press release sent out on Tuesday.
Additionally, the city has collaborated with GrubHub on the "Serving the City" Program. This initiative supports local restaurants while addressing food insecurity. Meals from Paterson's Al Raouche and Toros restaurants will be distributed to residents in need, including housing authority residents, seniors, veterans, and public school children's families.
The ICPC serves over 25,000 members in the community. It is dedicated to helping those facing poverty, especially during Ramadan. The organization provides clothing drives and food distributions in Paterson.