Moorestown Marks Historic End Of Ramadan Celebration

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Moorestown’s growing Muslim population wasn’t able to celebrate one of their highest holy holidays in 2020. However, they were able to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr this past weekend, and this year’s celebration was historic.

Mayor Nicole Gillespie and Councilman Quinton Law became the first council members in the township’s history to attend the three-day celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting that commemorates Muhammad’s First Revelation.

“It’s all about food, going to people’s homes and seeing friends and family,” said Saima Bhutta, who hosted the party.

It is the first time Moorestown’s public officials were invited to the celebration because there weren’t many Muslims in Moorestown. There are now around 500 Muslims living in the township, said Bhutta, who decided it was time to bring the celebration to the forefront.

Bhutta invited the local Moorestown officials, as well as Assemblywoman Carol Murphy and Deborah Cornavaca, the outreach director for Gov. Phil Murphy.

“We have done many outreach projects together from census to vaccinations and feeding the homeless,” Bhutta said.

Bhutta is an active member of the community, and was appointed to Sustainable Moorestown in January, Gillespie said.

She led the township’s coronavirus testing site near the police department, has been involved in food drives, and is currently involved in an effort to collect items for victims of domestic violence.
This is yet another of her major initiatives, and it was a success.

“We ate great food, had great conversations,” Gillespie said, describing the event as “fun and interesting.”

She said she was grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with the Muslim community. Law was presented with a cap and ajrak from the Sindh Province in Pakistan.

“It’s a tradition to present these traditional items to guests to show appreciation of their accomplishments,” Bhutta said.

Law became the first Black member of Moorestown Council when he was appointed to a vacant seat in January. Read more here: Moorestown’s First Black Council Member Sworn In By Cory Booker

“It was truly an honor,” Law said. “This is what building community is all about, it’s about getting together with all people from all cultures and celebrating our differences.”

The following day, Law attended the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage festival in Marlton, which some Moorestown residents helped to organize.

These two events are illustrative of a community that is coming together and is more united, Law said.

Said Law: “We’re beating back against the division that’s separated us, and it feels really good.”