A New Jersey mayor declared that his metropolis is the “capital of Palestine” and “the fourth holiest metropolis on this planet” throughout the kickoff to Ramadan final month, footage exhibits.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh made the remarks at a Feb. 28 Hilal Lighting Ceremony surrounded by different lawmakers and group leaders within the metropolis with the very best Muslim inhabitants within the Backyard State.
“I’m not the one who mentioned it, however I heard folks say that Paterson might be the fourth most halal or holiest metropolis on this planet. Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina and Paterson, New Jersey,” the 50-year-old Democrat mentioned.
“Paterson is the capital of Palestine in america of America,” he later added.
“Paterson, as I’ve said earlier than, is the fourth holiest metropolis on this planet: Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina after which Paterson, New Jersey.”
Sayegh, who turned Paterson’s first Arab-American mayor when he was elected in 2018, rattled off methods town has labored to have fun Islamic traditions, together with giving college students off for spiritual holidays and presenting kids halal meals choices in colleges.
He additionally claimed that Paterson was on the shortlist of holiest cities on this planet.
Saudi Arabian cities Mecca and Medina are the websites of the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, respectively. With Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque, the three are thought of the three holiest websites in Islam.
Kairouan, Tunisia is taken into account the fourth holiest metropolis linked to Islam.
Ramadan is a holy month during which Muslims quick from daybreak till sundown each day. The vacation began on Feb. 28 and can finish on March 29.
Paterson has an estimated Muslim inhabitants of 30,000 out of the greater than 150,000 residents that stay within the metropolis.
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