More than four decades ago, a small masjid and school opened on Academy Street in Newark, New Jersey. It was located there for a time, but the masjid required a more permanent location and Muslim students at Rutgers University on the Newark campus also sought a place to pray since they did not have a set prayer room. To meet these needs, in the early 1980's, the building at 20-24 Branford Place was donated by a brother who wanted the Muslims to have and own a place of worship.

Ever since then, the masjid at Branford Place has served Muslims who live, work and study in Newark and the tristate area.

However, despite the masjid's impact over the years, Branford is now at risk of being repurposed and possibly closed down permanently. Meetings have been held in order to attempt to make a deal with those who want to sell/buy Branford but it is clear that they do not have the masjid's and community's best interest at heart.

Please help us get this petition to 5,000 signatures so that we can show the Islamic Society of Essex County board members that the community needs Branford masjid and that its absence in Newark would mean erasing the important impact and history that the masjid has brought. For more information please email branfordmasjid@gmail.com.