Speak Out!

by Rizwan A. Rizvi. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year. Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. The word “Muharram” means “Forbidden” and is derived from the word harām, meaning “sinful”. It is …

By Imam Rizwan Rizvi, Masjid-e-Ali Mosque. Eid al-Adha is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, as commanded by Allah. It is reported in Quran: “When his son was old enough to work with him, he said, ‘My son, I have had a dream that I must sacrifice you. …

By Willietta Gombeh, Co-Founder of Compassion For Peace and Child Survival Sierra Leone. Peace and Child Survival Sierra Leone, otherwise known as CPCSSL, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit operating both here in the United States and in the affected area of Freetown Sierra Leone. CPCSSL is proud to say that we have over 12 years of service in the …

By Barbara Cuthbert, Griggstown. Thank you to Dr. Alex Kharazi of Franklin Township’s Interfaith Council for organizing Sunday evening’s vigil to reaffirm the community’s commitment to unity and solidarity in rejection of any form of racism, hate and bigotry. Thank you as well to the spiritual, governmental and educational leaders who clearly and passionately expressed dedication to speak out if …

 By Mayor Phil Kramer, East Millstone. Thank you Alex for your kind words and I’d like to thank all the folks at St. Matthias and others who have helped organize this event.  But most of all I would like to thank all of you for being here today.  At this time of great peril, you are the true patriots, the …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. I was out to dinner recently with a friend who knows I have spoken at more then a few public meetings. He asked “do you lose your hearing when you speak?’” The question made me think about what is happening to my body when I speak. I don’t go deaf but I do feel my body …

By Silvia Ascarelli, West Windsor. Thank you, Franklin Township officials, for closing a section of Canal Road for “Walk and Roll” on July 30. On behalf of all who participated in the East Coast Greenway’s 7-mile bike ride – “Following in the footsteps of George Washington … and his spy” – I want you to know we had a wonderful …

By Tom Lewis, Somerset. They say a man of character will do the right thing even when no ones knows. I’m sure there is such an individual behind this but I don’t know who it is to thank. So I’ll to do the next best and thank his company, Rotor Clip! The other night as I was driving down Route …

By John Felix. Friday, June 16th 2017 was a bitter-sweet day for me and my family! The day was a culmination of 12 years of active engagement with the Franklin Township schools, and particularly during the past four years as a parent of a Franklin High School student. Like many families, FHS was a place of reckoning for my daughter. …

By Stephanie A. Pratico. Imagine losing your home, job, and your best friend. Now imagine what would happen if you lost all three, at the same time. Throw in the loss of healthcare for your specialized needs, and it all quickly becomes your worst nightmare. For people with disabilities, under the Medicaid plan proposed in Congress, this nightmare is fast …