First Plainfield Muslims (Posthumous)

As part of a program Wednesday presented by Masjidullah, Muslims in Plainfield were honored for being first in their fields or making significant contributions to the community.

 POSTHUMOUS   LISTING   OF  MUSLIMS  FROM  PLAINFIELD

Mr. Frank Ware & Mr. William Anderson were both of the first African American Muslims to help establish as a business the “Steak - N –Take and a Grocery Store on Plainfield Ave and W. 4th St. in the early 1970’s.  It has been stated that there was an Ice Cream Parlor within that business which was also a first among AA Muslims to be established.

Mr. James Robinson aka James Ali is revered as the” vessel” through which Islam came to the city of Plainfield” as early as 1957.  Documentation in a booklet authored by Mr. Jaami Sharif indicated James Ali as working in partnership with an Auto Service Station called, The Hyway Esso and later on named, Exxon located on the corner of South Ave. and Scott St.   James Ali later relocated from that business and in 1982 set up his own auto repair operation.

Mr. James Anderson aka Saleem Shakir is referred as the 2nd of the first earlier AA Muslims to help spread Islam in the Plainfield community in the late 1950’s.  He is also known to be responsible for bringing many newcomers into the teachings of the Nation of Islam within the Plfd.  area.

It is noteworthy to mention at this time that the late Malcolm X aka Minister Malcolm/ Al Hajji Malik Shabazz  from the Nation Of Islam named;  James Robinson, James Anderson and James D.Laws as the 3 James Brothers; King James, Jesse James and Frank James.

Mr. John Roney and Mr. Robert Bailey are also known as early trailblazers starting up as Barbershop owners in Plainfield as first AA Muslims.  Mr. Roney’s located on Grant Ave between S. 2nd and 3rd St. and  Mr. Bailey’s shop located on ????

Mr. Brad Reed aka Rasheed Abdul-Haqq is stated in a blog; Plainfield Today of 2/2015; He is remembered for operating a limo service which made runs within the NY and NJ airports.  Fortune 500 companies utilized his services for many of their visiting executives.

In the blog, Doc’s Potpourri posted, Rasheed as a true citizen and civic servant interested in its youth and general betterment of the city.  He forced the city to repaint and refurbish the railroad bridges in Plfd and served diligently on the Board of Ed.

The Plaintalker II , another blog stated the words of Rasheed Abdul Haqq as being posted on the Cafeteria Walls of P.H.S. which sums up our program presentation this evening.

   His words read “Every Journey Starts With The First Step.  Fulfillment Of  A Wonderful Destiny     Must Have A Beginning – So…….Start Now!