Dozens of Muslim worshippers convened in New York’s Times Square on Sunday to commence the holy month of Ramadan, with some proudly displaying Palestinian flags in solidarity with those in Gaza.
Against the luminous backdrop of the vibrant LED advertising billboards that define the Manhattan landmark, they engaged in Taraweeh, the special Ramadan night prayers.
“It’s a meaningful experience to gather here as Muslims. Witnessing Muslims from various places was unexpected for me—it’s my first time here. I wanted to witness the community,” shared Salman al-Hanafy, a 20-year-old forklift operator from Cairo, clad in a pristine white thobe.
Despite the cold and windy conditions, over 100 faithful individuals convened for the prayer meeting. A vocalist led the gathering with chants of Nasheeds, while children recited passages from the Koran, with copies of the holy book distributed to both Muslims and curious passersby.
“Many people are keen on learning about the Koran; we’ve almost exhausted our supply of French copies. It highlights the significance of fasting during Ramadan,” explained Ahmad Yasar, a 20-year-old IT student in New York, as a stack of donuts was delivered to him and his team distributing the holy books.
During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, gathering with loved ones to break their fast in the evenings. It’s also a month of heightened prayers, with Muslims traditionally congregating in mosques, particularly during the nighttime.
As prayers from the Koran were projected onto a white sheet, swayed by the wind, towering ads for Broadway shows and sweets illuminated the skyline.
Yasar emphasized the significance of communal prayer gatherings, stating they were essential to “raise awareness and shed light on global events,” including those in Gaza.
Close by, a speaker sported the Palestinian flag’s red, white, green, and black colors on his hat, while a young boy in an electric wheelchair proudly displayed the banner.
New York has been a focal point for numerous protests, with some advocating for Palestine and others for Israel, following the October 7 attacks by the Hamas militant group, which sparked the conflict.
The assaults by Hamas on southern Israel led to approximately 1,160 fatalities, primarily civilians, based on a compilation of official Israeli data.
In response, Israel’s military operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 31,045 individuals in Gaza, with the majority being women and children, as reported by the territory’s health ministry.
