How NJ marks culture, faith, education
Families from across North Jersey kicked off Muslim Heritage Month on Sunday with a vibrant celebration of culture, food, reflection and interfaith exchange in Teaneck.
Visitors to the Cultural Expo’s bazaar browsed tables of embroidered and colorful dresses, perfumes, artwork and prayer beads. They bought cardamom-flavored chai, Turkish coffee and biryani, a spiced rice dish popular in India and Pakistan.
They learned about powerful women in Islam, inventions of the Islamic world and the shared traditions in Abrahamic faiths at the expo, held at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe. Education and connections are critical to breaking stereotypes and bridging communities, said Dr. Ghazala Arshad, an organizer with the Cultural Society of Bergen County, an official sponsor of the event.
“We’re using this forum as an opportunity to let people know how Muslims have contributed to civilization,” Arshad said. “This is so important for us, because fear is going to cause problems for all the community and the humanity, so we are standing up against it.”
Arshad spoke about the contributions of Muslims, from key inventions in medicine and mathematics to the creation of the world’s oldest university, al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fihri, in 859 C.E.
The event also featured traditional dance, a performance by comedian Yasmi Elhady and talks by children’s book author Farah Chaudhry and researcher and author Dalia Mogahed.
Shared traditions, differences
At an evening panel, clergy from Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths gathered for what was dubbed an “Abrahamic Family Meeting” to talk about having tough conversations in the current political climate.
They acknowledged their shared reverence for Abraham, whom they view as the father of their faiths. Muslim scholar Shayk Saad Tasleem said interfaith talks should focus on differences.
“People are never going to agree to the same thing,” he said. “To me, with these interactions, we need to be talking about our differences and laying out the path out forward.”
Differences were also internal. Imam Shayk Kamal Elmekki has heard Muslims argue over matters like the level of commitment to the boycott targeting Israel’s war efforts. Rabbi Rachel Khan said divisions had grown sharply among Jewish Americans over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“As a member of Rabbis for Ceasefire,” she said, “we get called antisemites because of our views and that’s really challenging … Disagreeing with somebody shouldn’t feel threatening to us and shouldn’t prevent us from working together. Those disagreements shouldn’t cause us to stay in our own separate communities.”
The Rev. Lynne Bleich Weber, an Episcopal rector in Tenafly, said continued interfaith work is needed to build trust and friendship so “when bad things and challenges come up, you have each other’s back.”
The panel was sponsored by the Eid Committee of New Jersey to promote dialogue and understanding, said Khaja Khateeb, one of the committee’s founders.
Marking Muslim Heritage Month
About a quarter of the world’s population is Muslim, making up the majority of the population in about 50 countries. In New Jersey, Muslims make up about 3.5% of the population, or 321,000 people, said a 2020 report by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a proclamation in 2023 designating January as Muslim Heritage Month, with unanimous support from lawmakers. The measure was designed to promote appreciation and awareness of Muslim traditions and contribution
The event on Sunday, organized by the Muslim Heritage Month Committee of New Jersey, was one of many happening across the state. Other events will include:
- Muslim Heritage Month Festival on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the NJ Expo Center in Edison, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., featuring art exhibits, an international market, cultural performances, lectures and appearances by special guests including Olympic fencer and author Ibtihaj Muhammad and musician Ilyas Mao. Tickets, with discounts for families, and are available for purchase online.
- Neighborhood Feast on Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Richard Rodda Center in Teaneck, 12-3 p.m., featuring food, displays and henna art. The free event is open to the public.
- Muslim Heritage Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 19 at the Fair Lawn Community Center, 2-5 p.m., with performances, exhibits, and foods highlighting diverse traditions in Islam. The free event, aimed at fostering understanding and unity, is open to community members.
For more information about upcoming events and educational programs this month, visit the New Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Coalition online.
link
