July 3, 2001
Source: The Record
http://www.bergen.com/news/islammall200107032.htm
On July 3, 2001, the Bergen County Record reported that "frustrated by media coverage they believe portrays Muslims as extremists, New Jersey Muslims are taking their faith directly to the people. Visiting shopping malls around the state, they aim to teach the public about a...religion that is just beginning to assert its presence on American soil...The group, most of them volunteers with the Islamic Circle of North America, have visited about five malls in the last eight months...The program, called Why Islam?, has prompted 25 people nationwide to become Muslims...But...the main goal is education, not winning converts. "