Washington Square Park is known for its lively atmosphere and eclectic characters. That was no different on Wednesday, when hundreds of Muslims filled the park to attend a morning prayer gathering for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
People celebrate Eid by dressing to the nines, which is why some jokingly call it the Muslim Met Gala. Many came to Washington Square Park in colorful traditional attire, such as galabeyas, grand boubous, salwar kameez, thobes, kurtas and abayas, some of which were adorned with opulent jewels or touches of dark kajal eyeliner. Others opted for more casual clothes, like comedian Ramy Youssef, who wore a hoodie and a green baseball cap.
On the morning of Eid, there are many large prayer gatherings across New York – in mosques, on high school football fields, on closed streets. The Lower Manhattan Park prayer, which took place under the Roman Arch, is known for attracting a diverse crowd representative of the two billion Muslims worldwide. It is also known to attract notable people such as Mr Youssef, comedian Hasan Minhaj and MSNBC anchor Ayman Mohyeldin, both of whom were also in attendance.
The annual Eid al-Fitr gathering in Washington Square Park was started more than a decade ago by leaders of the Islamic Center of NYU. director, Imam Khalid Latif, who led the prayer this year before delivering a khutbah, or sermon.
“It can be very affirming to know that in a city as big as New York, you are not alone, you are not alone,” Mr. Khalid added. “And it helps people around us who we share space with, who are our neighbors, to know that we are Muslim, and that we are here too.”
The first participants of the prayer meeting arrived at 7:30 am. Many soon saw friends and relatives and greeted them with shouts of “Eid mubarak” or “blessed Eid” as they hugged each other. At 9:15 a.m., people began making their way to the homes of loved ones, an Eid tradition known as house hopping that involves serving lots of food.
During the gathering, The New York Times spoke to attendees about their outfits, their favorite Eid memories and what inspired them to kick off the holiday in Washington Square Park.
Interviews have been edited.
Kojo Muharib
Occupation: Artist
Age: 31
Heritage: Ghanaian
How did Eid inspire your outfit? I was inspired by God. God said it would be cloudy today. So I had to come out and look like the sun. That’s why I have gold – I had to come and shine.
Hasan Minhaj
Age: 38
Heritage: Indonesian
Why did you come to this meeting? It is so spiritually moving to be with such a diverse group here in the iconic Washington Square park. To listen to Imam Khalid Latif’s khutbah and just see the diversity in the community is so moving and amazing.
Tell me about your outfit. Eid is the one time we put on our best, most stylish clothes. It’s a day to flex a little. The whole family matches: we all wear shades of black and white with embroidery.
Zeinab Bakillah, Abderrahman Bakillah and Emna Bakillah
Occupations: Lawyer; financial worker; doctor
Ages: 27; 26; 29
Heritage: Moroccan and Tunisian
How has Eid inspired your outfits?
ZEINAB BAKILLA I am wearing a traditional Tunisian outfit. This holiday we’re just dressing up a bit more. I chose something traditional to embrace our culture.
ABDERRAHMAN BAKILLA I would say the same with the Galabeya. We are half Moroccan, half Tunisian.
EMNA BAKILLA This dress belongs to my mother, who passed away five years ago. Every year on Eid I try to wear something from her. Every Eid she was very good at getting the family together.
Narmeen Choudhury and Abdul Quadir Choudhury
Occupations: Journalist; retired pharmacist
Ages: 43; 78
Heritage: Bengali
How has Eid inspired your outfits?
NARMEEN ChoudtHURY When I was in Bangladesh last summer, I was thinking about the upcoming Eid because it’s sometimes so hard to find outfits here in New York. I always think of something that is a reflection of our culture. And of course modesty when you pray.
What is your favorite Eid memory?
ABDUL QUADIR ChoudtHURY I came to live here in 1973. We did that Eid in Manhattan; small, not that many Muslims. Now, so many Eid prayers.
Sarah Elawad
Occupation: Graphic designer
Age: 27
Heritage: Sudanese
Tell me about your outfit. My mother bought it for me, and Eid is all about family. I miss my mother today; she is in Qatar. On the way here, on the train, I sat next to a girl who was clearly also dressed for Eid. I said ‘Eid mubarak’ and we ended up walking here together. That’s the great thing about celebrating this day: being together with other people who also celebrate it.
What is your favorite Eid fashion memory? Probably this one: This is the first time I tried to add my own touch to my outfit by adding my own layers and fashion.
Thanks Barry
Occupation: NYU student
Heritage: Guinean
How did Eid inspire your outfit? This is actually a gift from my brother. This is a Moroccan thobe. He bought it a few months ago, but it has inspired me to show and embrace my culture.
What does this meeting mean to you? It means everything to me. It shows a community that we are still building. You see bystanders walking by and saying, “Hey, this is cool. I should probably look into this.” So I think it just shows that we are not afraid to be proud of our religion.
Isa Hussein
Occupation: Dancer
Age: 23
Heritage: Guyanese
Tell me about your outfit. So last night I actually went to Jackson Heights because there’s always a big festival there. I have this kurta there. I got the kajal especially for today. I don’t normally do a lot of makeup or anything like that. So this is kind of the day where I enjoy it a little more. I used to wrap my head a lot. But I haven’t done it in a while.
What is your favorite Eid memory? I was actually in Nazareth for Eid in 2019. And it was so beautiful. There was light everywhere and children played with toys.
her altar
Occupation: sale
Age: 32
Heritage: Bengali
How did Eid inspire your outfit? I wanted a modern take on our heritage: a little bit of color, a little bit of a different silhouette than what everyone else is wearing. Everyone looks so nice. It’s very refreshing.
Fatima Abba and Iman Abba
Occupation: Student; biomedical engineer
Age: 19; 30
Heritage: Nigerian
What is your favorite Eid fashion memory?
FATIMA ABBA Last year I wore something I didn’t think I would wear. I wore pink.
Abdoulaye Ndiaye
Occupation: Professor
Age: 35
Heritage: Senegalese
Tell me about your outfit. So this is a grand boubou from Senegal. It was actually my wedding dress too.
What is your plan for the rest of the day? We’re going to brunch and then we’re hosting some people in my neighborhood. And then, at 2 p.m., I teach. I give an exam to my students. At 6:30 I’m taking a plane to go to Duke to give a lecture.
Saima Anjam
Occupation: Government affairs
Age: 40
Heritage: Pakistani
How did Eid inspire your outfit? Growing up, I was always taught that you should always look your best on Eid.
Why did you come to this meeting? It is very diverse. It’s very accepting. And I wanted to be part of that on this special day.