In May of 2023, Governor Phil Murphy declared January to be Muslim Heritage Month in New Jersey. When this legislation passed, Muslim leaders called it an historic moment. New Jersey was just the fourth state in the country to create such a month. These leaders also noted that recognizing Muslim Heritage Month will help to combat discrimination against Muslims. Last week, following urging from some residents, the Township Council stated a plan to pass a resolution acknowledging the month in Livingston at its next meeting.
The decision was not met with universal support from residents in the room at the time, however. Specifically, individuals were concerned that the Council intended to fly Palestine’s flag in front of Town Hall, as is done annually with Israel’s flag. This is not the case, as the Council directly stated several times during the meeting. Others were concerned, in general, with the timing of the month in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. They suggested that acknowledging the month could be viewed as support for Palestinians at the expense of Israelis.
Let us be clear. The actions of Hamas should be condemned, and we fervently hope for the safe return of all of those who were kidnapped during the terrible October 7, 2023 attack. We have all witnessed so much tragedy and death in the past three-plus months, and we long for peace in the region as soon as possible. But showing our wonderful Muslim residents that they are welcomed here and that their heritage matters has nothing to do with the Israel-Hamas War.
We would hope this does not need to be explicitly stated, but – of course – all Muslims are not Hamas. To equate an entire group of people with the atrocities committed by Hamas is wrong, and we know that this community is wise and compassionate enough to understand the difference between the two. Celebrating Muslim heritage should not be viewed as anti-Semitic or as disrespectful to Livingston’s Jewish population. It should also not be seen as a political stance on the ongoing conflict overseas, especially given the resolution the Township Council passed last year in support of Israel and its right to defend itself.
New Jersey is home to nearly 300,000 Muslims, one of the largest populations in the United States. Globally, Muslims make up a quarter of the world’s population. As Governor Murphy said upon signing the bill last year, we must “recognize and celebrate the positive impact Muslims have made, and continue to make, to the advancement of this state.”
We are living in trying times, for a number of reasons, including this ongoing war. Locally, this conflict has touched many aspects of our lives. Some have family and friends in Israel and Palestine that have been directly affected, be it having to live in fear, or being displaced or injured. Some in town have direct connections to individuals who have been kidnapped or killed. In our schools, parents are concerned about what content is being taught about this conflict to students, and how it is presented to them. A recently approved trip to Israel for Livingston Public Schools superintendent Matthew Block was also met with criticism by a number of parents. Meanwhile, at Town Hall, a resolution passed by the Council in support of Israel was championed by many, but met with disappointment by others, who worried about the innocent Palestinian civilians who do not support Hamas but have been thrust into a humanitarian crisis.
In a town that prides itself on unity, there appears to be a growing sense of division among some coalitions of residents. It has been sad to see, and we hope that it is temporary and will end soon. Livingston has historically celebrated its diverse community, with its residents generally living in peace and friendship with one another. Now is a time for us to be banding together, not sowing division.
There are no perfect answers here. Every individual in this town likely has a somewhat diverging view on this complex and difficult subject. In regard to what is written within the Tribune, it seems as if every person has a differing opinion on how each story that touches on these topics should be handled; and if they are not covered in that precise, specific manner, it is met with outrage. Yet, nobody can seemingly agree on exactly what should be discussed and how it should be covered. It is frustrating and disheartening, to say the least. We would hope that our residents approach one another from a place of understanding that everyone is trying to handle these delicate situations with care and consideration. Unfortunately, that has not always been the case of late.
Still, we truly wish that acknowledging Muslim Heritage Month does not become embroiled in controversy, because it is clearly a separate matter entirely from what much of the town, and the world at large, has been dealing with over the past 100-plus days.
We support the upcoming resolution acknowledging Muslim Heritage Month, and we hope all of Livingston’s residents will, as well.
