(Middle East Eye) New York City’s Times Square is set to host its first ever Tarawih prayers on Saturday, but several members of the Muslim community have voiced concern over the event being held at the bustling location.
According to social media advertisements circulating on Instagram and Facebook, Tarawih, a night prayer performed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and iftar, the breaking of the fast at sunset, will take place at the busy throughfare on 2 April.
The organiser of the event — who requested to be addressed as SQ — told Middle East Eye that he hoped the spectacle of congregational prayers would help non-Muslims learn about Islam.
New Yorkers’ attitudes towards Islam and Muslims have been shaped heavily by the 9/11 attacks, with proposed constructions deemed “Islamic” — most notable being the Park51 project — facing resistance from community groups.
