Jersey City Municipal Council unanimously passed (9-0) resolution honoring Third Annual Muslim Heritage Month (Jordan Coll / SOC Images)
The Jersey City Municipal Council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the city’s third annual Muslim Heritage Month, honoring a community of more than 30,000 Muslim residents who call Jersey City home.
With New Jersey having the nation’s fourth-largest Muslim population, an estimated 320,000 Muslims make up about 3% of the state’s residents. In Jersey City alone, the Muslim population is estimated to be approximately 25,000 and 30,000 people, according to U.S. census data.
The resolution calls for shielding off against stereotypes and prejudice targeted at Muslims, and instead focusing on the positive and lasting impact of Muslims on society. More than half of Muslim Americans report experiencing religious discrimination in the United States.
“I understand the need for this,” said Michael Griffin, Jersey City’s newly elected councilman-at-large, who recalled his father converting to Islam growing up and at the age of 17 he declared his faith in religious recognition known as Shahada.
“I know my father is pretty happy that his hometown is recognizing the Muslim community.”
That number rises to 64% among those who are visibly identifiable as Muslim, including women who wear the hijab or headscarf, according to polling conducted by the Bridge Initiative, a non-profit who focuses on anti-discrimination efforts against Muslims.
At least six distinct municipalities in New Jersey have publicly issued proclamations or resolutions honoring Muslim Heritage Month, plus county‑level recognition and widespread community celebration activities across regions.
“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,” said Arjumand Juweria, an activist and resident in Jersey City who touted the efforts of the city council to move the municipal legislation forward during public comment.
“Your presence here today signifies our shared dedication to building a vibrant and inclusive community.”
The celebration comes as Muslim communities face increasing hostility across the U.S.
Amid a sharp rise in Islamophobia nationwide, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recorded a historic high of 8,658 complaints in 2024, marking the most incidents reported in a single year.
“People are using religion as a means to divide us, when I think fundamentally all religions are meant to bring people together,” said Mussab Ali, a Pakistani-American, who recently announced his run for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District.
“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.”
