Predominantly Jewish N.J. Town Elects Muslim Mayor

from local CBS affiliate WCBS:

Voters in Teaneck have chosen the first Muslim mayor in Bergen County (New Jersey).

And while he said his religion wasn't a factor, it's still a major mark of tolerance for a place with a huge Jewish population.

Teaneck has 14 synagogues and lots of stores catering to the town's large Jewish population. And now they have a new mayor, Mohammed Hameeduddin, who is Muslim.

"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," resident Shari Baran added.

"A lot of people have a lot to say about the politics of this town. Is it divided, Jewish, non-Jewish? But the people I know who are on the town council, they live in this town and they're deeply committed to this town," resident Joe Kessler-Godin said.