The famous Times Square in the state of New York hosted iftar and Taraweeh prayers attended by hundreds of Muslims with the arrival of the Ramadan month. Despite the cold weather, Muslims gathered together, broke their fast with prayers, and then performed Taraweeh prayers together in the square. Messages of support for Palestine were displayed in the square. Before the Taraweeh prayer, Muslims gathered in the square and delivered speeches expressing their support for the Palestinian people.
In the square echoing with slogans of “Free Palestine” and protests against Israel’s attacks on Gaza, speeches emphasized that the Islamic religion is based on tolerance and understanding, stating that the attacks on the people of Gaza are a genocide, and a call for unity among all Muslims was made. This collective worship held in one of the busiest spots in the world like Times Square caught the attention of tourists and New Yorkers in the surrounding area. Many people recorded this moment with their phones during the prayer, and the images quickly became a trend on social media. Muslim associations organizing the event stated that they obtained the necessary permits from authorities. Additionally, in collaboration with sponsors, approximately 1,500 people were served with free iftar meals. The high turnout despite the bitter cold of minus 10 degrees felt in New York highlighted the significance of the event for the Muslim community.