January is seeing growing recognition in the US as Muslim Heritage Month. [Getty]
US Muslim groups are hoping that Muslim Heritage Month, an annual celebration of the faith in January, will reach nationwide recognition, with a growing number of states and localities making it official on their calendars.
So far, states marking the month include Michigan, New Jersey, Utah, Connecticut, in addition to a growing number of states, towns and districts. A congressional resolution was introduced several years ago to give the month national recognition.
The goal for community leaders is to make Muslim Heritage Month as much a part of the American cultural fabric as other cultures that are honoured throughout the year.
“Muslim Heritage Month is like anything that celebrates a community. It doesn’t happen overnight,” Robert McCaw, political affairs directors for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told The New Arab.
“It’s to educate and expand the awareness of the Muslim community,” he said, adding that he’d like to see it recognised by the White House as they do with history and heritage months for African Americans, Arabs, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and others. “There are so many rich traditions to explore.”
In 2021, a House resolution was introduced to recognise a month for Muslim Heritage, which continues to gain traction with a reintroduction of the initiative in 2024. A similar resolution was also introduced in the Senate. The date was originally set for July, but then changed to fit with the academic school curriculum.
According to the Muslim American Heritage website, January was chosen as the month to honour the anniversary of the death of Yarrow Mamout, an African American Muslim former slave, who purchased his own freedom and became a financier.
According to the website, “The national observance spotlights Muslims embracing freedom to pursue the American Dream and celebrates Muslim contributions to American society.”
