"First" Muslims in Plainfield

As part of a program Wednesday presented by Masjidullah, Plainfield Muslims who were first in their fields or made contributions to the community were honored. Please also see a posthumous list in a second post

Plainfield Community Muslims Setting a Historical Precedent

Ms. Deborah Celestine

First African American Muslim Woman to serve as Vice Principal of Plainfield High School (2007-2012)

Mr. Ernest Wiggins, aka Ernest Shakir

 First African American Muslim having established an auto body repair shop known as Wiggins Auto Body and also 1 of the 3 first AA Muslims to set up Temple #80 on 4th and Grant Ave., now known as Masjidullah

Dr. Asayah Aquil aka Elaine Thomas

First AA Muslim from Plainfield and of the Graduation Class  of P.H.S. 1972 to establish a Chiropractor Office in Newark.

Mrs. Faheemah El-Amin
First AA Muslim to be elected Councilwoman in Plfd. (1990) and also established Faheemah’s Childcare Center in 1984

Mr. Guy Wallace
One of the 3 first AA Muslims to manage and establish a Steak N Take Out on the corner of 4th and Plfd. Ave. (1973-1977)

Mr. Hassan Abdur-Rashid aka Salaam
First AA Muslim in 1987-2006 to establish and own a Fresh Fish  and Fish Take Out called, The Salaam Fish Market once located on Grant Ave. and S. 2nd St.

Mr. Herman Austin
First AA Muslim to serve in the Plfd. Fire Dept in 1980.

Ms. Jamillah Curtis aka Ernestine Evans
First AA Muslim Woman to acquire a license and certification as
a Black Seal Fireman (1983-2001) as well as establishing Quamarah’s Natural  Hair Care business located on Pearl St. and Watchung (2001)

Mr. Jaami Sharif aka James D. Laws
One of the 3 first AA Muslims to establish the Temple#80 (NOI) in 1970 now known as Masjidullah located on 4th and Grant Ave.

Mr. John Muhammad aka John Austin
One of the first of 2 AA Muslims in 1980 to serve in the Plfd. Police Dept. for 28 yrs and also from the 1974 Graduating Class of PHS

Mr. Linward Cathcart
One of the early first of AA Muslims serving to help establish Temple #80 in The Nation of Islam in Plfd.

Ms. Mahasin El-Amin
First AA Muslim Woman to join and serve as a Police Officer in this Plainfield community (2005)

Dr. Maryam Suluki
First AA Muslim Woman to establish a Dental Office/Practice in the city of Plfd located on 8th and Crescent Ave. and also on 9th just around the corner from this Public. Library

Mr. Mustapha Muhammad
First AA Muslim to be nominated as a candidate for the Plainfield Office of Mayor in 2013

Mr. Rashad Porterfield aka Rashad Shabazz
First AA Muslim to establish a transportation service in Plfd. in 
1980 with the business name Amaker&Porterfield Transporta-
tation Service. In 1994 established a Medical Transport Ser-
vice and the owner of the A & P Driving School in 1998

Mr. Siddeeq El-Amin
One of the first 2 AA Muslims to serve on the Plfd. Police Force in 1980 and then in later years promoted to Captain of the
department

Mr. Yusuf Bilal aka Joe Tucker
First AA Muslim of Plfd. to be inducted as a Martial Arts Black Belt of Tae Qwan Do Hall of Fame in Korea. He is also one of the early members to help establish Temple#80 in 1970 now Masjidullah

Mr. Yusuf El-Amin
First AA Muslim and a former resident of Plfd. 1979-1988 to be a member of the N.J. Highway Patrol in 1977 and then on to serve as a State Trooper in 1981 and promoted as a Captain of the N.J. State Police in 1997.