MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood School District is investigating a discrimination allegation at Seth Boyden Elementary School, in which a second-grade teacher allegedly forcibly removed a hijab from a student’s head. The incident first gained publicity in a Facebook post written by Ibtihaj Muhammad, a former Olympic fencer and SOMSD graduate. In a statement […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad returned to her hometown of Maplewood on just the second day of her book tour to rehash old times with the community and to discuss the trials she withstood to make Team USA in the 2016 Olympics. On July 25, Muhammad promoted her memoir “Proud” — which also has […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Mattel recently honored Maplewood native Ibtihaj Muhammad, the Columbia High School graduate and Olympian, with a Barbie doll modeled after her. In addition to looking like the world-renowned and top-ranked fencer, this new Barbie doll is the first to wear a hijab. Muhammad made headlines in 2016 when, in addition to her […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Members of the South Orange-Maplewood community gathered June 19 at The Woodland in Maplewood for an interfaith Iftar, which is the festive communal meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan. The event was co-sponsored by the SOMA Refugee Resettlement Project and U.S. Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad of Maplewood. From left are […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In his final week in office, President Barack Obama added four Olympic medalists to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Gymnast Gabby Douglas, ice hockey player Caitlin Cahow, soccer player Carli Lloyd and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad join the council, which is co-chaired by Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Dominique Dawes and […]
Sabre maven thrusts her way into international esteem
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On Saturday, Sept. 10, Maplewood held a motorcade, parade and meet-and-greet to celebrate hometown hero Ibtihaj Muhammad, who earned a bronze medal for fencing as a member of Team USA’s Sabre Team at the 2016 summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Muhammad, who earned national recognition for being the first […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The township of Maplewood will be celebrating Ibtihaj Muhammad, who won a bronze medal in fencing at the Olympics in Rio, on Saturday, Sept. 10, with a motorcade along Springfield Avenue and a parade through Maplewood Village. The parade will end at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, where Muhammad will […]
MAPLEWOOD (updated Monday August 8, 10:30 p.m.) – New Jersey Fencing Alliance and Maplewood Township will host an Olympic Viewing Party for Maplewood’s own Team USA Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, August 8-13. NJFA be streaming all events including all women’s individual and team Sabre events during which NJFA alum Ibtihaj will be fencing! Join the fun, […]
MAPLEWOOD – Former Columbia High School fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad is gearing up for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Muhammad, who competes in saber, is recognized as the first Muslim woman who observes hijab to qualify for the United States Olympic Team. Muhammad, 30, was a three-time NCAA All-American for Duke University […]
Updated, Wed. May 25, 1:57 p.m. The Men of Essex, Inc. selected basketball phenom Jocelyn Willoughby of Newark Academy and swimming phenom Charlotte O’Leary of Montclair High School to be the co- recipients of the 2016 “Essex Award.” The 58th Annual Essex Awards Dinner was held May 20 at Appian Way Caterers located in Orange. […]