Jun 20, 2025
The city of Paterson, New Jersey, has become a testing ground for the fusion of political Islam, foreign ideological influence, and entrenched Democrat governance—all under the banner of multicultural progressivism. Once a working-class, secular American city, Paterson is now undergoing a visible transformation as its growing Muslim population—estimated at over 20 percent, many of them of Palestinian descent—begins to shape local identity and public policy. What began as cultural integration has morphed into overt political redefinition. Arabic dominates storefronts, Palestinian flags adorn city lampposts and buildings, and “Palestine Way” now replaces Main Street. The city’s leaders no longer hide their intentions; in 2025, Mayor Andre Sayegh declared Paterson “the capital of Palestine in the United States,” elevating it symbolically alongside Islamic holy sites like Mecca and Medina.
This shift has gone beyond symbolism. City officials have embedded Islamic and Palestinian priorities directly into public institutions. Public schools serve halal food by default, and the academic calendar now recognizes Muslim holidays with full closures. Events tied to these holidays often double as political rallies, featuring anti-Israel rhetoric and city-sponsored promotion of Palestinian causes, including open support for BDS and slogans like “from the river to the sea.” The adhan—the Islamic call to prayer—now echoes across Paterson’s neighborhoods, reshaping the city’s civic soundscape into one aligned with Islamic ritual. With municipal resources underwriting Palestine Week, Muslim Heritage Month, and other ideologically charged observances, Paterson increasingly resembles an ideological enclave—one where mosque and state are not just blurred, but actively merged to advance a political vision far removed from traditional American constitutional values.
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SOURCE: RAIR Foundation