In a recent ceremony marking the beginning of Ramadan, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh declared Paterson, New Jersey, as the 'capital of Palestine' in the U.S. and the fourth holiest city globally, following Jerusalem, Mecca, and Medina. Speaking at the Hilal Lighting Ceremony, which celebrated Islamic traditions, Sayegh highlighted the city's initiatives supporting its Muslim community, including observing religious holidays in schools. The city has a significant Muslim population of about 30,000 within its approximately 150,000 residents, contributing to Paterson's Islamic cultural identity.
"I'm not the one who said it, but I heard people say that Paterson is probably the fourth most halal or holiest city in the world. Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina and Paterson, New Jersey," the 50-year-old Democrat said.
"Paterson, as I've stated before, is the fourth holiest city in the world: Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina and then Paterson, New Jersey."
Sayegh, who became Paterson's first Arab-American mayor when he was elected in 2018, rattled off ways the city has worked to celebrate Islamic traditions, including giving students off for religious holidays and presenting youngsters halal food options in schools.
Ramadan is a holy month in which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset daily. The holiday started on Feb. 28 and will end on March 29.
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