NJ Senator-Elect Meets Muslim Leaders, Vows To Fight Islamophobia

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — New Jersey Senator-elect Edward Durr reiterated his apology for an anti-Islamic tweet he posted two years, and vowed to stand against Islamophobia when he met with Muslim leaders at Al Minhal Academy of Islamic Education in Washington Township on Wednesday.

“I stand against Islamophobia and all forms of hate, and I commit to that going forward,” Durr said in the private meeting that lasted two hours, according to comments released by CAIR-NJ. “I look forward to working with the Muslim community.”

CAIR-NJ had called for the meeting after a 2019 tweet resurfaced following his election victory over Senate President Steve Sweeney.

The tweet read, "Mohammad was a pedophile! Islam is a false religion! Only fools follow muslim teachings! It is a cult of hate!" Read more here: GOP State Senator-Elect Faces Backlash Over Islamophobic Tweets

It was among a series of controversial tweets Durr sent out before he was elected. He has since deleted his Twitter account. Read more here: NJ State Senator-Elect Compared Vaccine Mandates To Holocaust

Durr later apologized, and reiterated that apology during Wednesday’s meeting, according to CAIR-NJ. He left the meeting with a copy of the Quran.

“We wanted to dispel any of the incorrect beliefs he has about our community,” CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said. “We also want to remind him of his responsibility as an elected official. He represents Muslims as well. It’s his responsibility to keep their safety in mind.”
Maksut called the meeting, “productive.”

“Mr. Durr was sincere in his apology, and we welcome his condemnation of Islamophobia and his commitment to renouncing hate-speech,” Maksut said.

Others in attendance at the meeting included:

• Imam John Starling, GCLEA, Cherry Hill;
• Professor Atiya Aftab, Rutgers University, CILRU Board of Directors;
• Dr. Saira Ahmed, & Dr. Ahsan Abdulghani, Founders of Al Minhaal Academy Mosque, Sewell, NJ; and
• Mr. Imran Bhutta, Board of Trustee of Islamic Center of South Jersey, ICSJ.

Durr describes himself as a constitutional conservative, and his campaign focused on lowering property taxes and making New Jersey more business-friendly. He will assume office in New Jersey’s Third Legislative District this January after Sweeney conceded defeat in a speech Wednesday afternoon. Read more here: Senate President Sweeney Concedes Election Loss To Edward Durr