Religion

ISRAELI ART – Some of the pieces offered for sale at the Israeli Art show held at Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street. More than two dozen Israeli artisans are being hosted by Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street in a two-day art festival. The works displayed and for sale by the 27 artists run the gamut from jewellery to …

SINGING FOR RAMADAN – Members of the Little Nasheeds Girls of New Jersey sing during the annual Ramadan Lighting Ceremony held February 23 at the Township Senior/Community Center. The Township’s fifth annual observance of the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was held on February 23 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. The highlight of the observance was …

ISLAMIC HERITAGE DISPLAYED – Samina Sattar, Amir Muhammad, and Sara Kharazi-Didehvar, left to right, at the Muslim Heritage Month exhibit January 12 at the Franklin Township Library. The contribution of Muslims to American culture was the focus of a exhibition held January 12 at the Franklin Township Library’s main branch on DeMott Lane. The displays, which lined the library’s Community …

RECOUNTING FAMILY HORRORS – Board of Education member Sami Shaban speaks to the crowd about the many members of his family who were killed in Gaza since the 1940s. Colonial Park’s Knob Hill Pavilion was the scene October 27 of a gathering showcasing Palestinian culture. Called “Connect with Palestine,” organizers designed the event to highlight the art, culture and heritage …

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – Pastor Rodney Staton speaks to the congregation during the Faith Temple anniversary celebration. The congregation of Faith Temple gathered at their home at Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street on October 27 to celebrate a milestone: the church’s 43rd anniversary. Founded in February 1981 by the late Elder Horace Staton and his wife, Pastor Lydia Staton, as …

Balmy weather on October 13 served as a backdrop for a number of events in the township. Franklin High School Project Graduation held the first of what will be three clothing drives. The organization get paid by the pound for the clothes, which are sent to needy people overseas. We stopped in at the event, held at Franklin Middle School …

More than 1,000 high school students ventured out to the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens on Somerset Street October 5 to meet with representatives of colleges and trades in the church’s second annual College Fair. The goal of the event, said the Rev. Danté Quick, the church’s pastor, is to “expose young people to future opportunities around higher education …

HUSAIN DAY MESSAGE – Amir Ahmed Atozai, representative of the Pakistani Consulate, delivers his message during the Husain Day commemoration at Masjid-e-Ali mosque. Muslims from around the region gathered at Masjid-e-Ali on Cedar Grove lane August 10 for their annual commemoration of Husain Day. The day memorializes Imam Husain, the grandson of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, who was killed along …

Submitted by the Care For Creation Student Ministry Green Army Team St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church in Somerset, New Jersey, embraced Earth Day with a series of impactful activities, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. The church community, comprising parents and children, came together on May 4th to partake in various eco-conscious endeavors. From cleaning and …

NJ HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF – Laurie Doran, director of the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, speaks during the Masjid-e-Ali Interfaith Iftar March 22. Representatives of multiple faith traditions gathered at Masjid-e-Ali on Cedar Grove Lane March 22 for the mosque’s annual Intra- and Interfaith Iftar. The event is held during Ramadan, a month-long Muslim observance of fasting and …