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Jersey City recognizes Muslim Heritage Month
City council approves resolution honoring Muslim residents amid data showing widespread discrimination.
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Mohammed Jaffer - Mon, 09, Feb 2026
- 01:08 EST
- 20
Michael Griffin and Arjumand Juweria. / Mohammed Jaffer
The Jersey City Municipal Council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the city’s third annual Muslim Heritage Month, honoring a Muslim community estimated at between 25,000 and 30,000 residents.
The resolution acknowledges the presence and contributions of Muslim residents in Jersey City, which is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in New Jersey. Statewide, New Jersey has the nation’s fourth-largest Muslim population, with an estimated 320,000 Muslims making up about 3% of the population, according to U.S. census data.
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The measure calls for countering stereotypes and prejudice directed at Muslims and urges greater recognition of their social and civic contributions. More than half of Muslim Americans report experiencing religious discrimination in the United States, according to national surveys.
Michael Griffin, Jersey City’s newly elected councilman-at-large, said the recognition held personal significance. He recalled that his father converted to Islam and that he himself formally declared his faith at age 17 through the Shahada.
“I understand the need for this,” Griffin said. “I know my father is pretty happy that his hometown is recognizing the Muslim community.”
Polling conducted by the Bridge Initiative, a nonprofit focused on anti-discrimination efforts against Muslims, found that 64% of Muslims who are visibly identifiable, including women who wear hijabs or headscarves, report facing discrimination.
At least six municipalities across New Jersey have issued proclamations or resolutions recognizing Muslim Heritage Month, along with county-level acknowledgments and community-led events.
Arjumand Juweria, a Jersey City resident and activist, praised the council during public comment for advancing the resolution.
“It is a powerful testament to our collective commitment to acknowledging and honoring the tapestry of our Muslim heritage and its remarkable contributions to our society,” Juweria said. “Your presence here today signifies our shared dedication to building a vibrant and inclusive community.”
The recognition comes amid reports of rising hostility toward Muslim communities nationwide. The Council on American-Islamic Relations recorded 8,658 complaints in 2024, the highest number reported in a single year.
Mussab Ali, a Pakistani American who has announced a run for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District, said religion is often misused to divide communities.
“People are using religion as a means to divide us,” Ali said. “Muslims are not some foreign terrorist group that want to spread hate and fear. They are our neighbors who want to spread love and peace.”
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