Over 1000 Muslims perform 1st ever Ramadan Prayer in Times Square

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): New York City’s iconic Times Square hosted over 1,000 Muslims who broke their fast and attended the “first-ever” Tarawih prayers on Saturday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Organizers of the event distributed 1,500 meals to those who attended the event, from across the U.S. and even as far as Montreal, Canada. They also recited verses from the Holy Quran and spoke about the significance of the month.

"We're here to explain our religion to all those that don't know what Islam is all about," the organizer, identified as SQ, told CBS news. "Islam is a religion of peace."

Ramadan is also a time of prayers, during which Muslims converge in large numbers at mosques, especially at night.

The Eid al-Fitr holiday marks the end of the holy month.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims worldwide mark the time with fasting as they abstain from eating and drinking. Qur'an recitation, doing charity work are highly recommended during the month.


/129