New Jersey's Jewish town picks first Muslim mayor

Voters in Teaneck have chosen the first Muslim mayor in the thickly Jewish populated Bergen County in New Jersey.

According to reports, Mohammed Hameeduddin, who won a council seat two years ago, earned five out of seven votes at the annual reorganization of township government.

Teaneck has 14 synagogues and lots of stores catering to the town's large Jewish population. And now they have a Muslim Mayor to boast of.

"What's wrong with that?" asked resident Art Ekelchik. "He's an American citizen. Isn't he? That's all that counts, right."

"He seems to be somebody who is putting Teaneck first and not necessarily religion first, looking at what's good for the community, which is what he is supposed to do," a media report quoted a resident Shari Baran as saying.

Hameeduddin edged out Councilwoman Lizette Parker, who had served as deputy mayor since her election in 2006 and would have become Teaneck's first female African-American mayor.

Hameeduddin says his religion was never a factor in people voting for or against him.

Image: Mohammed Hameeduddin.

Photograph: Snaps India