See AP Story   See Bergen Record stories
Paterson, NJ: 11/09/2005: The American Arab Forum, AAF, congratulates Mr. Mohamed Khairullah on becoming the first Arab and Muslim American mayor of Prospect Park, NJ,   where  about six thousand  multi- ethnic residents call home. Mr. Khairullah has served as Councilman in Prospect Park since 2001. We wish to especially recognize the tremendous support Mr. Khairullah has received from the Hispanic and Muslim communities in his home town and other surrounding areas. The victory has shown that small but united ethnic communities can achieve their goals.

Mr. Aref Assaf, president of American Arab Forum stated that "Mr. Khairullah truly represents  the best of what our community has and can offer. His tremendous enthusiasm and diligence have proven his leadership qualities and perseverance." Mr. Assaf was also  referring to outrageous and baseless lies spewed in a recent flyer and in an online discussion  board describing Mr. Mohamed Khairullah as unpatriotic  and having a criminal record. AAF considers these malicious attacks to be  a serious bias crime and urges local , state and Federal intervention to apprehend and prosecute the culprits.

Freedom of speech notwithstanding, what is being done to Mr. Khairullah is hate speech, pure and simple. No one should tolerate intolerant and bigoted people. AAF believes that the best response to   hate mongers and bigots  is the unanimous vote the entire Council gave to Mr. Khairullah when they selected him mayor."

End.

The American Arab Forum, AAF, is a non-partisan and non-sectarian organization, is a registered tax-exempt, and not-for-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. We endeavor to provide reliable and credible information and resources to and about the Arab American community in the United States.