Ashley Reed:
In a public celebration of faith, culture, and borough-wide solidarity, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. hosted an Eid-al-Fitr Celebration on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:00 PM at the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens. The event brought together community members to mark the end of Ramadan with an evening of performances, recognition, and festive gathering.
Held at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY, the celebration reflected the diversity that defines Queens, home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim populations in New York City. Promotional materials for the event promised “delicious treats, special cultural performances, honors for local leaders and much more,” framing the evening as both a festive observance and a gesture of civic appreciation.
Among those present were Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, CEO of Save The People USA (STPUSA), and Fatima Niass, Office Manager of STPUSA, along with other community participants and guests. Their attendance added to the event’s strong representation from local Muslim leadership and community organizations.
After the event, Donovan Richards Jr. shared a message of support for the borough’s Muslim residents, writing, “Eid Mubarak, Queens! To our Muslim brothers and sisters who showed us discipline, devotion and humility during the holy month of Ramadan, Queens is proud to be your home.” He also addressed the broader social climate, adding, “In a time when Islamophobia continues to surge, we stand in solidarity with our Muslim community today and every day.”
That message gave the gathering significance beyond celebration alone. In honoring Eid-al-Fitr at Borough Hall, the event positioned the borough’s Muslim community not at the margins, but at the heart of civic life in Queens. The inclusion of cultural performances and recognition for local leaders further underscored the role Muslim residents play in shaping the borough’s social and cultural fabric.
The event also offered a space for families and community members to come together after a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. For many attendees, it was both a joyful observance and a visible affirmation of belonging in one of the city’s most diverse boroughs.
By hosting the Eid-al-Fitr Celebration at Queens Borough Hall, Donovan Richards Jr. and his office delivered a clear message: the traditions, contributions, and presence of Muslim New Yorkers are an integral part of the identity of Queens, and worthy of both celebration and steadfast support.
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