Distinguished Muslim Woman Sworn in as New Jersey Municiple Judge

IRVINGTON, N.J. – At a time when a few individuals in the political arena are trying to discredit the contributions of Muslims to society-at-large, there is a significant, and ever-growing, number of Muslims who are achieving special recognition and responsibility for public service.

Sharifa Salaam, Esq., is one such person. This past summer, the esteemed attorney was sworn in as municipal court judge in Irvington. According to D. Bilal Beasley, Irvington City Councilor and Essex County Freeholder, her appointment to municipal court judge was overwhelmingly approved by Mayor Wayne Smith and the Irvington City Council. Her appointment is directly attributed to her skills, professionalism, and service to Essex County.

Essex County is comprised of 22 municipalities, including Newark, West Orange, Irvington, East Orange, Bloomfield, Short Hills, and Fairfield. Mayor Smith reportedly commended Sharifa Salaam for her “commitment to justice and the law.”

He added that he is assured that she will bring professionalism to the bench and will serve with compassion but at the same time have intolerance for those who will not follow the law.

Sharifa Salaam’s appointment is for three years, at which time she would have to be reappointed by the county legislators. As municipal court judge, now the Hon. Judge Salaam adjudicates domestic violence cases, minor drug offenses, and code enforcement and traffic violations.

According to Judge Salaam, she is “honored and humbled” by her appointment and says that she truly loves her new position. However, she also mentioned that she is disappointed by the huge number of African American young men, ages 18-27, who as a result of minor drug charges, now have a criminal record which will affect their future employment opportunities.

A life-long resident of New Jersey, Judge Salaam served the Essex County community for over 20 years. Prior to her recent appointment to municipal court judge, she served as Attorney for the Zoning Board of the Township of Irvington, Legal Research Officer for the City of Newark and Deputy Freeholder Counsel for the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

As Legal Research Officer for Essex County, she created, reviewed and revised city ordinances and legislation. In addition, she was a member and an adviser to the Muslim League of Voters (MLV) for over 20 years.
In 1983, Judge Salaam received her undergrad degree in Marketing from Seton Hall University, and in 1993, she received her Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall Law School. As a lawyer, her area of specialization is real estate.

Sharifa Salaam came into the Muslim community through the Nation of Islam in Newark, in 1971.  She was 16 years old.  She still remembers the fiery preaching style of Minister James Shabazz.  She attends Islamic services at Masjid Waarith-Ud Deen in Irvington, where Imam W. Deen Shareef is Resident Imam.

Judge Salaam is the proud mother of two children whom she raised as a divorced single mother. Both Sharifa Salaam II, who has completed two master’s degrees, in marketing and in finance, and Abdul-Jaami Salaam, a youth counselor and mentor, have continued in their mother’s footsteps – serving the public.

Judge Salaam accredits her success to the support and love she received from her family and the support and encouragement she received from the community-at-large. She offered the following statement on Jan. 11, 2014:

“First and foremost, I thank Allah much for this blessing, this honor and this opportunity to serve as a Municipal Court Judge in the Township of Irvington, New Jersey.

"My deepest gratitude to my family, especially my parents, Woodrow and Goldie Frye, who instilled in me the basic values and principles to do the right thing and expected nothing from me other than to do my best; my sister, Nadiyah, who has been my hero by example; and my children, Sharifa and Abdul, who gave me the inspiration to carry on through the toughest of times.

“I thank my mentors, friends, colleagues and the community at large for continued encouragement and support, personally and professionally.  And, I thank Mayor Wayne Smith and Councilman D. Bilal Beasley for their faith in my ability to serve in this distinguished position.

“I pray Allah that I will always be just, fair and balanced in carrying out my duties and responsibilities as a judge.”

As Muslims wrestle with concerns over images from negative press and misguided hostilities, Irvington is a place where Muslims lead and thrive in their leadership for the total wellbeing of its citizens. Mayor Smith and Councilman Beasley have served in public office for over 20 years.