Muslims gather in NY Times Square for Taraweeh prayers
World
A projector showed the Quranic verses being recited during the prayers.
NEW YORK (Web Desk) - For the second year in a row, many Muslims in the United States observing Ramadan broke their fast and offered Taraweeh prayer at Times Square in New York. The weekend event was organized by Muslim social media influencer SQ in association with Muslims Giving Back and Droplets of Mercy.
The event aimed to create a friendly, open environment in which people can inquire about Islam and show New Yorkers, who are not Muslims, how Ramadan is observed. At Maghrib, the prayer was led by the Holy Quran reciters Faisal Latif and Faraj Hasan and free iftar meals were served. In collaboration with food sponsors, Muslims Giving Back claimed to have provided more than 2,000 meals that included dates, water, pizza, and gyro sandwiches.
The event's MC, Muhammad Abdul-Aleem (also known as HoopFinesse), and blogger Faduma Mohamed, nicknamed speakpure, both delivered addresses as motivational speakers and social media personalities. The purpose of the programme was to unite Muslims while also educating others about Islam. It was hosted beneath the dazzling neon lights and advertisements of New York's most well-known square.
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A projector showed the Quranic verses being recited during the prayers along with an English translation. The event, according to Yamina Kezadri of Muslims Giving Back, was an illustration of "dawah via action." Throughout, representatives from the Jamil Foundation for Children and Youth gave readings, educational resources, and free copies of the Quran in both English and Spanish. They also answered inquiries.
At the end of the night, two individuals embraced Islam as a result of hearing the Quran being recited. SQ said that Islamophobia was on the rise, calling Islam one of the most misunderstood religions in the world, he stated that the gathering was a chance for Muslims to unite while also educating others about Islam.
