October 5, 2006 

Honorable Nina Mitchell Wells
Secretary of State
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 300
Trenton, NJ 08625-0300

Re: Statewide Cultural Festival

Dear Secretary Wells:

We are writing to you to express our serious concern about the timing of the NJ Statewide Cultural Festival , which is taking place on Sunday, October 22. This day is also the last day of Ramadan or the first day of Eid-Ul Fitr, the first of a three-day religious celebration for the state’s 500,00 Muslims. Attending public events is not possible because devout Muslims spend this day either worshipping in mosques or visiting and celebrating the end of the fasting month with family and friends.

Agreeably, The Festival is an important gateway for all ethnic communities in NJ. If "Diversity is Our Strength" as the event's flyer rightfully advocates, it would have been more appropriate if it is held on a different date to enable greater Muslim participation. I know that my family and I would have wanted to participate in this important cultural event. 

We are not crying conspiracy or intentional disrespect for the Muslim residents.  We are not charging that Muslims residents are not invited to attend or their active participation is not being sought. We are saying, however, that had there been a more comprehensive statewide calendar of events, a different date would have been promoted. With our rich cultural and diverse heritage, the Festival would fulfill its objective of presenting a more complete picture of New Jersey's ethnic mosaic. This is one reason why we have been urging the creation of the Arab and Muslim Heritage Commission whose main task would be to disseminate accurate and timely information to and from our community. This demand was squarely placed before Governor Jon Corzine when we met with him in May. A recent follow up call to his office assured us that a decision is to be made in the next two weeks.

Is it not a reasonable demand to ask that public events- from a local school board meeting to a statewide function- are not held on major Muslim religious holidays? It does not suffice that we abstain from such events, however. We must convey our displeasure and expect sensitivity to our high religious days.

Because of my travel overseas, I was not able to attend the recent meeting you held with the NJ Ethnic Advisory Council of which I am a member. I would have alerted you to the potential conflict.

Moving on forward, we look with great anticipation to your speedy response. The community needs to hear from your office that its religious holidays will be respected and considered when organizing statewide events. We share your sincere commitment to better serve all the citizens of our great state.

Aref Assaf, PhD

President

American Arab Forum

CC: Jeannine LaRue, Office of the Governor- Deputy Chief of Staff
       Mada Liebman, SOS- Director of Community and Constituent Relations Office
       Sohail Mohammed- American Muslim Union
       Hani Khoury- ADC- NJ
      Cami Huk- Ethnic Advisory Council