VoWW Interview #7 - Usman Mustafa
Overview
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
Although the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton (MCGP) is a relatively new addition to West Windsor, it plays an important role in the community. One of its board members, Usman Mustafa, is an interventional cardiologist working as the chairman of the MCGP's Free Clinic. This week, we talk with him about the history of the MCGP and Rahbar Trust - the organization behind the "little library" installed at the Princeton Junction train station a few years ago.
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
Although the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton (MCGP) is a relatively new addition to West Windsor, it plays an important role in the community. One of its board members, Usman Mustafa, is an interventional cardiologist working as the chairman of the MCGP's Free Clinic. This week, we talk with him about the history of the MCGP and Rahbar Trust - the organization behind the "little library" installed at the Princeton Junction train station a few years ago.
Talking Points:
(On the history of the MCGP):
"When I moved to this area, the Muslim population was small and had to travel elsewhere for a community center. However, as the result of a lot of hard work by community members and a lot of families moving in, things changed. About 6 or 7 years ago we bought a piece of land (on Old Trenton Road).. We now have a community center more than a religious center... We have a free clinic, a table tennis area, a jogging track, a garden, and more...Everyone (of any faith) is welcome. It is really a center for all of us to be proud of."
"If you look at the history of the MCGP, we have 3 or 4 people who are really important. One is our ex-Board Chairman Tahir Zafar. Then we have Sajid Syed,a great friend and Board member. I'm a Board member as well. Zakariya Maniya (current Board Chair) is another.
"We started with a very small little place (less than 400 square feet). One of our greatest events was taking a leap of faith and raising funds to make (the current MCGP mosque) happen. And it's not just a Muslim community - we have Hindu, Jewish, and Christian friends there. There is a lot of respect... Now I can proudly say, the MCGP is one of the best Muslim centers you can find in New Jersey.
(On who in WW inspired him):
"We got a lot of help from Mayor (Shing-Fu Hsueh). He is a real "community man" and provided a lot of assistance."
(On the history of the MCGP):
"When I moved to this area, the Muslim population was small and had to travel elsewhere for a community center. However, as the result of a lot of hard work by community members and a lot of families moving in, things changed. About 6 or 7 years ago we bought a piece of land (on Old Trenton Road).. We now have a community center more than a religious center... We have a free clinic, a table tennis area, a jogging track, a garden, and more...Everyone (of any faith) is welcome. It is really a center for all of us to be proud of."
"If you look at the history of the MCGP, we have 3 or 4 people who are really important. One is our ex-Board Chairman Tahir Zafar. Then we have Sajid Syed,a great friend and Board member. I'm a Board member as well. Zakariya Maniya (current Board Chair) is another.
"We started with a very small little place (less than 400 square feet). One of our greatest events was taking a leap of faith and raising funds to make (the current MCGP mosque) happen. And it's not just a Muslim community - we have Hindu, Jewish, and Christian friends there. There is a lot of respect... Now I can proudly say, the MCGP is one of the best Muslim centers you can find in New Jersey.
(On who in WW inspired him):
"We got a lot of help from Mayor (Shing-Fu Hsueh). He is a real "community man" and provided a lot of assistance."
