January 2025: Muslim American Heritage Month

The Council on American-Islamic Relations of New Jersey (CAIR-NJ) announces the celebration of Muslim Heritage Month throughout the month of January 2025. This important observance is a time to honor the rich cultural, historical, and social contributions of Muslims to the United States and to reflect on their impact.

Muslim Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize the diverse and longstanding role that Muslim Americans have played in the development of this country, from its founding to the present day. With roots in the early history of the United States, Muslims have made invaluable contributions to every aspect of American society, despite facing challenges and discrimination throughout history.

“Muslim Heritage Month is a reminder that American Muslims have always been integral to the fabric of American society,” said CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut. “As we celebrate this month, we are reminded not only of the remarkable accomplishments of American Muslims, but also of the ongoing struggle for equity, justice, and the protection of our civil rights.”

CAIR-NJ encourages elected officials and community leaders to observe New Jersey’s Second Annual Muslim Heritage Month. Recognition by policymakers would further elevate the contributions of Muslim Americans, foster a dialogue of mutual understanding, and encourage a more inclusive narrative of American history.

Muslims make up roughly a quarter of the world’s population. New Jersey is home to more than 320,000 Muslims, about 3.5% of the population.

CAIR’s mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Muslims have inhabited the land of the United States since before the country’s founding. Muslim-majority Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States of America. Together, the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship in 1786, which remains America’s longest-standing unbroken treaty; and, Muslim Americans have played significant roles in the founding, development, and prosperity of the United States of America.

Today, they are industry-leading entrepreneurs and executives across America’s economy, including the CEO of Ethan Allen Furniture, Farooq Kathwari; CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshashi; CEO of Flex-N-Gate and US sports tycoon Shahid Khan; and, in arts, entertainment and sports, Muslim Americans including Halima Aden, Mehershala Ali, Muhammad Ali, Bella Hadid, Imam, Dave Chappelle, Tania Gunadi, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Rizwan Manji, Ibitihaj Muhammad, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, Enes Kanter, and legendary fashion designer Naeem Khan, have all excelled in their fields; and, Muslim Americans have been critical at all stages in the life of hip-hop, today’s most popular music genre in America.

These include early visionaries such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Lakim Shabazz, and Afrika Islam. Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, Mos Def, Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Beanie Siegel, and Q Tip continued to shape hip hop in the 1990s; and, Muslim-Americans have been crucial in scientific findings and pioneering innovation, including Rouzbeh Yassini, founder of the cable modem; Fazlur Rahman Khan, renowned architect who reinvented the skyline in major cities; and Anousheh Ansari, NASA astronaut and recipient of the “Space Pioneer Award”; and, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan do hereby proclaim January 2025 as Muslim American Heritage Month in Michigan.