Community News (V11-I43)

NJ Muslims endorse Corzine

BERGEN, NJ–Governor Jon S. Corzine today was endorsed by the New Jersey Muslim American Committee and American Muslim leaders from across the State at a rally of more than 200 New Jersey Muslims held at The Nile Restaurant in North Bergen Township.

“I am proud to be endorsed by New Jersey’s Muslim American Committee as well as by such a distinguished group of leaders from throughout the State’s Muslim community,” said Governor Corzine. “The American Muslim community is continuing to grow in size and will be a significant force in Democrats achieving Victory this November. With the support and partnership of leaders from New Jersey’s Muslim Community we will continue to move New Jersey forward and protect the values that matter most to hard working families across the State.”

“Jon Corzine recognizes that American Muslims are an important part of the fabric of New Jersey –he stands for the issues that we believe – from educational opportunities for our children to quality healthcare to support for seniors to protecting and assisting the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Freeholder Bilal Beasley (D-Essex). “We must do all we can to re-elect Governor Corzine who shares our values and has fought to protect the issues that matter most to our community.”

Governor Corzine was endorsed by the current Committee of Elected Muslim Officials including: Freeholder Bilal Beasley, Essex County; Mayor Wayne Smith, Irvington; Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah, Prospect Park; Councilwoman Maha Kandis, Haledon; Councilman Clinton Higgs, Lawnside; Councilman Terrence Love, Passaic; Councilman Aslon Goow, Paterson; Councilman Hassan Fahmy, Prospect Park; Council President Adnan Zakaria, Prospect Park; Councilman Mohammed Hameeduddin, Teaneck; Commissioner Mounir Almita, Haledon of Education; and Commissioner Salim Patel, Passaic Board of Education.

Former members of the Committee of Elected Muslim Officials and statewide leaders who also endorsed Governor Corzine include: Councilman Jimmy Small, East Orange; Councilman Khalil Kasht, Prospect Park; and Commissioner Dr. Fehmi Khairullah, Prospect Park Board of Education.

“New Jersey’s Muslim American Committee is proud to endorse Jon Corzine today – we are strong supporters of Democratic values which mirror what matters most for our community,” said Mayor Wayne Smith (D-Irvington). “Governor Corzine has brought health care coverage to nearly 100,000New Jersey children, he made paid family leave the law so that New Jerseyans now get paid while caring for a sick loved one or new baby and he has shored up the State’s safety net for the most needy residents of our state. By re-electing Governor Corzine we can ensure that the principles that matter to American Muslims and every New Jersey family are protected.”

Islam Day celebrated in Ohio

YOUNGSTOWN, OH–Muslims in Ohio celebrated the official Islamic Day in Ohio last Saturday. In 1987 the then Gov. Richard Celeste had declared second Saturday in October to recognize the state’s Muslim.

As part of the this recognition several events are held across the state include a conference. This year it was held in Dayton and focused on ways Muslims can serve the state by undertaking diverse projects such as helping at free clinics, food banks and shelters, said Dr. Khalid Iqbal, a Liberty pediatrician and president of the ICO.

“All over the U.S., the population of Muslims is increasing tremendously,” said Iqbal, adding that a main goal of the ICO and the Islamic day are to improve understanding and to enhance the image of Islam by the population at large.

The Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown also held an open house.

NC Muslims celebrate ‘Eid’ Festival

CARY, NC–Muslims in the Triangle area held a two day festival as part of the Eid celebrations. It was held at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre.
More than 1,000 people turned out for the event.

There are an estimated 30,000 muslims around the triangle and festival organizers plan to continue sharing their culture for years to come.

“It’s a very large community,” NC Eid Festival Chairman Nadeem Iqbal told the NBC. “(It’s a) very open community and they definitely would like to be considered a part of the fabric of this society.”

A large number of non-Muslims also participated in the event.

Muslims and Mormons work together at Salt Lake U.

SALT LAKE CITY,UT–Muslim and Mormon youth in Salth Lake City are working together to fight hunger and to take on other projects, reports Mormon Times. Latter-day Saint and Muslim young adults tie quilts recently at the Salt Lake University Institute.

Mormons also worked with young women from Muslims United Against Hunger in a two-part project: a food drive and making quilts for Salt Lake area refugees.

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