News from Lakewood and beyond
Businesses along the main street, Palestine Way, are adorned with signs in Arabic, hawking halal foods and traditional Muslim clothing. Palestinian flags line the streets, and one flies proudly over city hall.
In schools lunchrooms, children consume halal foods — except on Islamic holidays, when schools are closed. Palestinians proudly serve as members of city council, police officers, and judges. Islamic religious celebrations and pro-Palestinian rallies are held on city property, sponsored by elected officials.
Above all, the broadcast of the adhan, the call of the muezzin to Muslim prayer, echoes through the streets and alleys.
Where are we? Ramallah? Gaza City? Beirut?
Close. It’s Paterson, New Jersey.
With a burgeoning Muslim and Palestinian population, Paterson is celebrating its newest subculture. But when Mayor Andre Sayegh declares it the “Palestinian capital of the United States,” alarm bells began to ring.
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