It’s Muslim American Heritage Month in Wisconsin!

Gov. Tony Evers welcomed Muslim leaders from across Wisconsin to the Executive Residence to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in 2023, which was also the first year the governor proclaimed July Muslim American Heritage Month in Wisconsin.

It’s Muslim American Heritage Month in Wisconsin, and there are lots of opportunities to celebrate. 

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a proclamation in 2023, making July Wisconsin’s Muslim American Heritage Month. That proclamation had a two-year lifespan and just expired. Evers signed a new decree on June 23 to continue it through July 2025. 

“Wisconsin Muslim Civic Foundation wants to make the most of it,” said WMCF executive director Fauzia Qureshi.

“We want to make sure we are celebrating the contributions, resilience and diversity of Wisconsin’s Muslim communities,” Qureshi told the Wisconsin Muslim Journal in a recent interview. “This month will shine a light on stories that too often go untold—stories of Muslim American innovators, civic leaders, artists, those working in the healthcare and other professional fields and everyday neighbors, all who work to strengthen our nation’s fabric.”

The nonprofit has contacted local governments to encourage officials to make their own proclamations. It is also creating opportunities to celebrate and offering resources to libraries and other community organizations for celebrating Wisconsin’s Muslim Heritage.

Kick-off in Franklin

Wisconsin’s 2025 Muslim American Heritage Month kicks off today in Franklin, the location of one of the state’s fastest-growing Muslim communities. 

By launching in Franklin, “we are showcasing a Muslim American community that is civically engaged and growing,” Qureshi said. “Two Muslim alders serve on the Franklin Common Council and there is a Muslim on the school board. The Islamic Society of Milwaukee is building a $15 million expansion to Salam School and a community center in Franklin for the Greater Milwaukee community. I felt this was the place for our initial event.”

Mayor John R. Nelson will present his proclamation at the City of Franklin Common Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Franklin City Hall, 9229 W. Loomis Road, to make July 2025 Muslim Heritage Month in Franklin. “It would be a great time for members of Franklin’s Muslim community to be at the Common Council meeting,” Qureshi said. The proclamation will be read at the meeting and the meeting will be live streamed.

In addition, a family event will be held today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin Public Library, 9151 W. Loomis Rd. Families of all backgrounds and faiths are welcomed to attend.  “Crafts, Culture & Curiosity” will be similar to the family-friendly Eid celebration hosted by the library in April, featuring crafts, calligraphy, tile art, henna and coloring that highlight Muslim American history.

“We are always looking for ways to reflect our community in our programing,” said Keri Whitmore, Franklin Public Library assistant director. “Franklin Public Library is honored to have this important program here for our community.”

Local communities celebrate Muslim American heritage

“We’re looking for other cities across Wisconsin to join in as well,” Qureshi said. 

Some already have.

Oak Creek Public Library collaborated with the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Foundation to display books and information about American Muslims.

Mayor Steven V. Ponto signed a mayoral proclamation on July 10, making July 2025 Muslim American Heritage Month in the City of Brookfield. He presented the proclamation to WMCF president Mushir Hassan, M.D., Qureshi reported. Hassan served on the Elmbrook School Board from 2020 to 2024 and was commended in March by Mayor Ponto at Masjid Al Noor’s interfaith iftar for his “public spirit.”

In addition to Franklin and Brookfield, the City of Madison officially made July Muslim American Heritage Month. Qureshi said she also anticipates support from the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, City of Milwaukee Common Council and others. “These are local leaders we’ve worked with before,” she explained.

Celebrate Muslim American Heritage with WMCF

WMCF invites Wisconsinites, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to celebrate Muslim American Heritage Month with a variety of family-friendly events that feature food, art and stories from Muslim cultures around the world. For more information and to register, see events on the WMCF website. Here’s the schedule:

• Franklin Public Library, 9151 W. Loomis Rd., Tuesday, July 15, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Muslim American Heritage Month at the Library: Crafts, Culture and Curiosity!  
• Franklin City Hall, 9229 W. Loomis Road, Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation at the Franklin Common Council Meeting
• Islamic Society of Brookfield, 16670 Pheasant Dr., Brookfield, Friday, July 18, 6 – 8 p.m., Muslim Minds: Inventions that Changed the World
• Haraz Coffee, 2900 N. Oakland Ave., Milwaukee, Monday, July 21, 6 – 8 p.m., Coffee, Culture and Conversation: A Muslim Heritage Pop Up
• Madison Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison, Tuesday, July 22, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Muslim Heritage Month: Creative Traditions
• Milwaukee County Court House, 901 N. 9th St., Milwaukee, Wednesday, July 23, 1 p.m.
• MOTW Coffee Shop, 2850 W. Rawson Ave., Franklin, Wednesday, July 23, 6 – 8 p.m., Roots and Richness: A Muslim Heritage Pop Up Event
• Mar’uf, 2110 W. Hampton Ave., Milwaukee, Thursday, July 24, 6 – 8 p.m., Sacred Scripts: Exploring Muslim Calligraphy Traditions
• Islamic Society of Milwaukee Community Center, 815 W. Layton Ave., Milwaukee, Friday, July 25, 5 – 9 p.m., Muslim World Culture Fair
• NO Studios, 1037 W. McKinley Avenue, Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 29, 6 – 8 p.m., Many Roots, One Faith: Muslim Voices Across Cultures in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Muslim community’s think tank

WMCF launched in December 2023 “to promote civil engagement in Wisconsin’s Muslim community in a nonpartisan way and foster a more inclusive and equitable society for all Wisconsinites,” Qureshi said. “Research is one of its main tasks, basically becoming the think tank for Wisconsin’s Muslim community. 

“We’re seeing a troubling rise in anti-Muslim hate, and the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Foundation is committed to combatting it through education, cultural celebration and civic engagement,” Qureshi said.

“By uplifting Muslim voices and stories, we aim to build understanding, challenge stereotypes and create a more inclusive Wisconsin for all.”