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NEW YORK: A crowd of Muslims broke Ramazan fast and offered prayers on Thursday outside the Trump Tower in protest against the US president’s Islamophobic rhetoric.
About 100 Muslims showed up for the iftar event, which was organised by immigrant defence groups. A similar number of non-Muslim supporters also attended.
Participants sat on the edge of the avenue and shared a meal that included rice, chicken and pizza.
Police monitored the group closely, as they do with all groups near the building.
Trump Tower in Manhattan is home to the Trump Organisation, the heart of President Donald Trump’s business empire. First Lady Melania Trump lives there with the couple’s youngest son, Baron.
Fatoumata Waggeh, a 26 year-old Muslim-American woman with Gambian roots, said she had come to denounce the negative “rhetoric they are spreading about Muslims”, and to show solidarity.
Maggie Glass, a 31-year-old New Yorker active with a Jewish refugee association, said she was there “to support all our Muslim neighbours and friends.
“I just thought it was an opportunity for us to come together as a community, to show that we are united.” Event organiser Linda Sarsour said she was satisfied with the turnout.
She didn’t mind that unlike previous US presidents, Trump had not invited Muslims to the White House to mark Iftar.
“To be honest with you, even if they did, I would ask Muslims not to endorse an administration that is acting so divisively,” she said.
Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2017
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Comments (38) Closed
Jun 03, 2017 07:36am
Excellent. Love it.
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Jun 03, 2017 07:38am
The entire Abrahamic tradition says clearly, those whose hearts have been branded will never accept the divine truth and its teachings. So, there is no point in praying in front of any building with any expectations that anything will change.
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Jun 03, 2017 07:58am
Trump should have realised that wherever Christians are in majority , that Country should be a Secular Democratic Country with Pluralistic principle.
Trump should stop bothering about his country, his people and protect minority communities's rights.
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Jun 03, 2017 08:18am
Muslims living in majority other religious cultures need to understand how those societies operate, respect their customs and assimilate. Every other religion in America pray in their places of worship. Why these people are praying in the streets? ..in public places? No other religion in the entire world does it. Being humble and assimilating is always good, and on the contrary, in your face attitude is never good. Don't Muslims in America have exactly the same rights as anybody else under the Constitution? They do!!!
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Jun 03, 2017 08:19am
It is possible in non-Muslim majority countries like US, UK , India . Could it be possible to celebrate Christmas or observer ester in KSA, Muslims has to address this paradox, before blaming non-Muslims in the world
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Jun 03, 2017 08:35am
Yes every one from different religion should be free to make prayer to place he want. Provided the society not disturb, blocked its movement or disturb neighbours.
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Jun 03, 2017 08:40am
I am not sure how this event demonstrated anything. Instead they should have organised iftar inviting non-muslims to show everyone is united.
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Jun 03, 2017 09:20am
How any one can think of challenging Trump right outside his door ?
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Jun 03, 2017 09:24am
Even in other countries this should be done to show Solidarity of Muslim Brothers !! Great job !!
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Jun 03, 2017 09:48am
We never seen any religious community behaving that way! Any country be it India or America, expect his citizen to value his nationality first, not religion. If you want to be different, then it's your choice, but then you also complain for being singled out! Who'll listen to you?
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Jun 03, 2017 10:00am
so much incovienece to pedestarian very cheap
could have done in a proper hall or something and invited everyone who wants to attend
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Jun 03, 2017 10:18am
Trump has done the right thing by not organising Iftar at white house. Religion is a private thing in country like USA and no one should use government money to spend on religious gathering.
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Jun 03, 2017 10:23am
sounds a bit strange .
were they trying to provoke trump and test his patience ?
we have a lot of Muslim brothers in india too , Infact even moremember than entire population of Pakistan and it's normal for them to offer paryers enmasse in public places .
but I really shiver even by the imagination that had such a gathering taken place in Pakistan or in any Islamic Republic , and the crowd would have been of Christians or Hindus , what would have been the reaction of public and administration ?
tolerance is not a one sided Street my dear .it's a mutual affair .
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Jun 03, 2017 10:23am
@ ZK, I wonder sir, when will Muslim countries do similar things to show solidarity with non-Muslim bothers. Hope one day Saudi Arab, Qatar and Pakistan will sponsor Christmas and Diwali celebration. You people also need to do something sir.
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Jun 03, 2017 10:27am
Good for you guys. Mashallah. No to hate for any. Love, love and love blessing to all in this beautiful holy month of Ramadan.
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Jun 03, 2017 10:28am
These sorts of stunts are usually the brain-child of zealots and under-educated Muslims who have no idea how to convey their message in a political setting. But want to be be seen praying on an open road, sidewalk or field, without adhering to the ablution, cleanliness and peaceful /quite surroundings, so one can concentrate on the prayers. Rather than be distracted by gawkers, cameras, general public, blaring horns, taunts and shouts around you.
Your prayers are neither effective nor accepted under these conditions. So in the end, it amounts to nothing but a physical exercise for publicity.
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Jun 03, 2017 10:43am
What an achievement.
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Jun 03, 2017 10:59am
Make Harmony For Humanity & Shun Discord, dear Muslim brothers and sisters.
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Jun 03, 2017 11:07am
I am an Indian Muslim and want to organize simmiler event in front of Modi's residence
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Jun 03, 2017 11:10am
They could have broken Ramadan fast anywhere, but doing so in front of Trump tower is deliberately provoking things..
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Jun 03, 2017 11:27am
@Indian Muslim " I am an Indian Muslim and want to organize simmiler event in front of Modi's residence "
Why do you need permission... do it peacefully to be effective. Non Muslims will also join you Sir !
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Jun 03, 2017 01:27pm
@Indian Muslim Why would you do it infront of Modi's house?
Is it a festival/ religious cerimony or a show to put for the world? Do it at your place of ownership. Should a Hindu also enjoy Pork, Bacon infront of Imam's house in Calcutta?
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Jun 03, 2017 02:11pm
What is the point of this? Why do Muslims do this?
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Jun 03, 2017 02:12pm
Although they didn't like it but in essence, Trump and his cronies can't do anything about such events due to guaranteed civil liberties embedded in the U.S. constitution's "bill of rights."
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Jun 03, 2017 02:18pm
His T shirt should have read I am an American!
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Jun 03, 2017 02:38pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad we should have the same freedom for minorities in Pakistan
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Jun 03, 2017 03:36pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Will there ever be a similar bill of rights to ensure the well-being of Non-Muslims in any Islamic country?
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Jun 03, 2017 03:51pm
@rama - Modi govt is no different than Trump, get real and smell the coffee!
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Jun 03, 2017 05:06pm
What was the need to do this? Why are they doing religious exhibitionism and seeking confrontation and trying to impose religion in public space?
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Jun 03, 2017 05:34pm
So every religious group should pray near trump tower to make it really secular
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Jun 03, 2017 06:00pm
@Indian Muslim This mindset of unnecessary confrontation is not appreciated.
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Jun 03, 2017 06:06pm
Such acts fall under "aggressive defiance" which in my humble opinion is not the right approach. We need to act in a civilized and prudent way than breaking fast on the streets to antagonize other communities, and also violating social norms. Religion is not something that we need to wear on our sleeves.
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Jun 03, 2017 06:45pm
Protest through prayer? That is one peaceful way to send the message of peace
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Jun 03, 2017 08:07pm
@rama NOT IN INDIA
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Jun 03, 2017 08:11pm
I don't think that the Trump administration is looking for Muslim endorsement...
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Jun 04, 2017 01:15am
It's always the minorities who are made to suffer ,wether it's USA,India, or Pakistan.the leaders of majority in any country have a duty to protect the minorities .
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Jun 04, 2017 06:51am
@Helloall: READ before uttering your opinion.
"A crowd of Muslims broke Ramazan fast and offered prayers on Thursday outside the Trump Tower in protest against the US president’s Islamophobic rhetoric."
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Jun 05, 2017 06:40am
@Babur-I-Azam
Every year BJP too organize Ramadan Iftar party across India , If you are not aware learn
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