Newark Welcomes First Muslim City Council Member, Amina Bey Takes Oath Of Office (WATCH)

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark City Council welcomed its first elected Muslim representative to the dais during a swearing-in ceremony for Amina Bey last week.

Bey won the race to replace LaMonica McIver in November. Residents in the city’s Central Ward voted in a special election to fill an unexpired term for McIver, who was elected to Congress last year.

A Newark native, Bey ran on a campaign platform that included “equitable development” and “social justice.” She has extensive experience working as a housing and employment advocate, serves as executive director of Newark Emergency Services for Families, and is a co-founder of the Muslim Community Relief Fund. Learn more about her work background and qualifications here.

Bey claimed victory in a social media post on Nov. 14.

“Together, we made history,” she wrote. “I am honored to serve as the first Muslim elected to the Newark Municipal Council and I carry this milestone with profound gratitude and responsibility.”

Bey continued:

“This victory belongs to every person who believed in our bold vision, knocked on doors, made calls, and gave their time, energy, and heart to move our community forward. To everyone who contributed financially—no matter the amount—thank you for investing in this movement and making it possible for our message to reach every corner of the ward. Our campaign was never just about me winning an election—it was about us uniting our voices, reaffirming our shared values, and reimagining what we can achieve together. As we look ahead. I remain committed to building a S.A.F.E.R. Central Ward—advocating for our seniors, affordability, food security, economic mobility, and responsible development. Most importantly, I will lead with integrity, transparency, accessibility, and collaboration—working not only with those who supported our campaign, but also with those who supported others or even ran against me. Our shared future depends on our shared purpose, and I'm committed to being a councilwoman for everyone in the Central Ward.”

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing, for showing up, and for standing with me,” Bey said. “Let's keep building forward, together.”

Bey took her oath of office on Nov. 24 in the city council chambers, making the council whole for the first time in more than a year. Watch video footage here, or view it below.

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