Rutherford residents call policy discriminatory as council defends new rule limiting fixed park displays

Residents and community organizers told the Rutherford mayor and council on Feb. 24 that a December policy barring fixed displays in Borough Park effectively barred a planned Ramadan crescent lighting and left many feeling excluded.

The dispute began during public comment when Jenna Makkaoui, identified herself as representing the Eid/Crescent Lighting organizers, and said the community “feels discriminated against since the council has not provided any solutions” after a request for a second annual crescent lighting was denied under the new December policy.

The subject drew multiple speakers. Saheb Khan, a Rutherford High School freshman, recalled attendance of more than 100 people at the 2024 crescent lighting and described the event as promoting “inclusivity.” Pernas Tajuddin and other residents said dozens of neighboring Bergen County towns were permitting crescent lighting this year. Shanaaz Arjumand, who said she coordinates many New Jersey events, said more than 60 towns planned Ramadan observances in 2025.

Borough Attorney Beau said the action taken by the council in December was to “restrict the use of the park for fixed displays” and that it was applied to all groups, not targeted at any single religion or culture. He told the meeting the council acted because the park had begun to be “overused” by requests for fixed displays.

Councilman Cokley said the council’s decision followed safety concerns after a later request for an unsafe, large structure; he said the council had to adopt a single policy for all groups and described a short-term alternative: a Ramadan flag-raising that could be coordinated with other scheduled observances. “There was a group that came through and wanted to put up a really large 9‑foot structure without really a good base or way to install it,” Cokley said, arguing the new rule was about safety rather than religion.

Council members acknowledged the emotional impact. A councilwoman who identified her background in employment law and anti-discrimination work said she had personally tried to help organizers and repeated that the governing body’s policy applies to all fixed displays and was not intended as discrimination. Several council members said they would discuss clearer public messaging and potential accommodations, and one council member said she would attend county and community discussions to seek a workable approach.

No vote was taken at the Feb. 24 meeting to change the borough’s December policy. Council members said they were open to further conversation and logistics work, and discussed a possible March 18 flag raising timed within the Ramadan observance window as a near-term accommodation, but emphasized details would need to be worked out by borough staff and legal counsel.

Why it matters: The policy affects how public space is used for cultural and religious events in Rutherford and prompted residents to ask for clearer rules and equitable treatment of different faith and cultural celebrations. The council’s next steps, as described at the meeting, were to pursue clearer public guidance, consider short-term accommodations such as a flag raising, and continue talks with organizers and the borough attorney about safety and logistics.