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Plainfield Public Schools Celebrates Muslim Heritage Month with 'Building Bridges: Diversity and Unity' Event
PLAINFIELD, NJ – January 28, 2025 – Plainfield Public Schools celebrated Muslim Heritage Month with an event, Building Bridges: Diversity and Unity, held on Monday, January 27. The evening honored Plainfield residents who have demonstrated meaningful contributions to their community and religion. The event aimed to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within Plainfield while emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding in today’s world.
The evening began with the opening of the Muslim History Museum, an exhibit exploring the historical contributions of American Muslims. Guests had the opportunity to explore key sections of the museum, including The Forgotten Roots of Muslims in Early America, America’s Early Mosques, and Mosques in New Jersey. The event also featured activities designed for families and children, helping young minds engage with the history and culture of the Muslim community.
Shadin Belal, Ed. D., Principal of Plainfield High School, opened the program by welcoming attendees and acknowledging the Board President and attending commissioners. Following her welcome, Dr. Faraj Hasan opened the ceremony with a Quran recitation.
In his remarks, Superintendent of Schools, Rashon K. Hasan, Ed. S., spoke about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, stating, “As we gather here tonight, it is important to acknowledge the critical role that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion play in the current state of the educational landscape and political climate. In a time when cultural understanding and mutual respect are increasingly being challenged across the nation, Plainfield Public Schools stands steadfast in its commitment to celebrating everyone.”
He continued, “Our celebration tonight is a powerful example of how we put those values into action. Through events like these, we build bridges of understanding, honor the richness of our community, and reaffirm that diversity is not a challenge to overcome but a strength to embrace.”
Mark Gonzales, author of Yo Soy Muslim, was invited as the evening’s special guest. In his address, Gonzales shared his perspective on culture, reflecting, “What is culture? I think about culture because I live in a world that sees skin color first and asks, ‘Mexican born in Alaska? How does that work?’ Culture is a gift—a gift of language, dance, tradition, and religion. These are gifts we have.”
Board President Hanae M. Wyatt followed with remarks about the importance of recognizing both history and individual contributions to the community, saying, “Tonight is about more than recognizing history. It’s about recognizing who we are individually and as a community. I see individuals who are breaking barriers and building bridges, not just within the Muslim community but throughout our entire community. Let’s continue to listen, learn, and uplift one another, leaving a legacy that unites us.”
The evening also featured a poem, “Human,” recited by Ameerah Shabazz Bilal, a Plainfield resident and author. Her words resonated with the audience, emphasizing the theme of unity and shared humanity.
As the event approached its conclusion, Superintendent Hasan took the stage to present Proclamations of Honor to the 2025 Honorees: Caleb Williams and Earnest Shakir. These individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Muslim community.
Caleb Williams, a distinguished alumnus of Plainfield High School and current mathematics teacher, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am so thankful for this honor. Thank you for allowing me to be a vessel of change here in the City of Plainfield. This is only a testament to more work to be done in the future.”
Earnest Shakir, a long-time Plainfield resident, one of the founding members of Masjidullah in Plainfield, and the owner of Wiggins Auto Body, Inc., thanked his family for their unwavering support.
The event exemplified Plainfield Public Schools' commitment to celebrating cultural diversity, building bridges of understanding, and recognizing the contributions of individuals who have made a lasting impact on the community.
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