About Mohamed
Act Locally, Think Globally
Meet the American Mayor who happens to be a Muslim.
Mohamed T. Khairullah has devoted his life to the service of others. But Mohamed is not your ordinary public servant. Fleeing his homeland of Syria in 1980, Mayor Khairullah sought to shape a new meaning of hope through civic engagement and grassroots activism. As a former volunteer firefighter and through his relief efforts inside war-torn Syria, Mayor Khairullah demonstrated courage by running towards danger that most people run away from.
Exemplifying love for country and true patriotism, Mohamed successfully ran for office in 2001, exactly one year after becoming a US citizen. After four short years of serving as Councilman, he was unanimously supported by his colleagues on the council to become the Mayor of his beautiful Borough. For over eighteen years now, since November of 2005, the residents of Prospect Park have re-elected Mayor Khairullah to office for five consecutive terms. Capitalizing on his own experiences to bring the best out of others, he proudly wears several hats, not only as an elected official, but also as a passionate community activist, fervent humanitarian, and a loving husband and father.
As an immigrant son of hardworking parents, Mayor Khairullah’s upbringing has sharpened his values and molded his commitment to help others. Leading by example, Mayor Khairullah works immensely hard to bring innovative progress and change that would improve the quality of life in and out of his town. During his tenure of over 22 years as a Prospect Park elected official, he has been a champion in ensuring public safety, improving infrastructure, maneuvering tough financial circumstances such as the economic meltdown of 2008, the COVID Pendamic, as well as engaging residents with an abundance of activities and events that maintains the ideals of ‘good government.’ Mayor Khairullah is leading the drive to promote economic development by attracting new businesses to his Passaic County municipality. Some of his other initiatives that gained the attention of others locally and around the State are the various capital improvements at Hofstra Park, his Mayor Wellness Campaign, his collaboration with NGOs to enhance services that provide residents with a resourceful base for a safe, inclusive, and nurturing community.
Mayor Khairullah’s big heart and impact is not only felt locally but stems out globally and it all started when he was a teenager. At the age of 17, Mayor Khairullah began his journey towards helping others by volunteering for his local hospital. As a freshman in college, he started volunteering for the local fire department, a journey that lasted 14 years. Before starting his relief efforts for Syria, Mayor Khairullah helped in relief campaigns for the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti during their times of crisis. He also sponsored and supported the Borough’s Autism Walk and other philanthropic projects.
His relief efforts in the Middle East have warmed the hearts of many, inspiring others to get involved and become agents of change. During the current conflict in his homeland of Syria, the Mayor has been actively inside the country seven times delivering food, medical and school supplies, and helping equip under ground medical facilities. Today, Mayor Khairullah is focusing his free time to work closely with numerous nonprofits and resettlement agencies, across the state and country to facilitate collaboration of work between the agencies and volunteers helping refugees. By virtue, Mayor Khairullah has become a progressive leader on issues of immigration and refugees. Over the course of his career, the mayor often mobilizes the youth to maintain the core values of democracy by mentoring them to become the catalysts for their communities and to participate in their local political process.
Mayor Khairullah is a recipient of many accolades and awards at the local, state, and national level that recognizes his remarkable achievements in public service. He is continuously being sought after to speak locally, nationally and globally on issues of refugees and local government. Claiming the hearts and minds of many, Mayor Khairullah’s passion to learn and educate is embedded with his efforts to not only lead, but lead by example.
Mayor Khairullah received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. He is happily married with five wonderful children.
For any press, interview, and speaking inquiries, contact:
Intashan Chowdhury, Aide to Mayor Khairullah via e-mail, [email protected]
