- This case study shows clear hypocrisy. On 20/02 an Islamic event took place in Times Square. On the 21st, there was a Jewish event.
- It was the Islamic event which was attacked and demonised, illustrating abhorrent anti-Muslim sentiments.
On the 20th of February, just three days ago, a Tarawih prayer took place in Times Square, New York City. It was livestreamed so everyone could watch and participate. Muslims are currently in the month of Ramadan, one of the twelve Islamic months. During this time, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. People gathered publicly. They stood, prayed, and listened as the imam recited aloud.
Before the prayer, there was the opening of the fast. People were sitting and eating together. The organiser, SQ, told everyone to finish their food and made it clear that non-Muslims were welcome to join. Anyone could take part. The purpose of holding this event in Times Square was to share Ramadan with the wider community. It was about transparency during a time of Islamophobia. Many people are fearful and suspicious about what happens inside mosques. The event aimed to show openly what Muslim worship looks like.
Just days earlier, Chinese Christians had also gathered publicly in Times Square. They were cordoned off, praying and speaking about Jesus. On the 21st, a Jewish prayer and concert took place that hosted around 4,500 Jews. That is the wider context.
Before reacting, it is important to look at the responses. One individual online, who claimed to be Israeli and Jewish, was later exposed as being Indian. No surprises there. He wrote, “Why do Muslims block the entire place for an Islamic prayer? Why is this allowed?”
Congressman Randy Fine, who had previously compared Muslims to dogs, asked, “Why do we want to occupy Times Square to do this?”
….”The answer is found in the call to prayer itself. Muslims declare that God is the greatest. Jews and Christians accept this. Muslims declare that there is none worthy of worship except God.”
This is also consistent with Jewish and Christian belief. In the Book of Nehemiah, it states that God alone is worthy of worship.
“You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV):
Jesus himself called God “Allah” in Aramaic. Jews also refer to God in similar terms.
This is not radical theology. It is shared monotheism.
Muslims were visibly praying and prostrating, placing their heads on the ground. This is how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Old Testament also contains many references to prophets prostrating in worship.
People from different cultures, ages, and backgrounds were praying together. Others stood watching peacefully. However, disruption began. A man started shouting abuse. He yelled, “You hate gays. You kill them. Stop killing people. Stop killing gay people.”
These statements were anti-Islamic.
Yet, punishments he was referencing exist in the Bible as well. Deuteronomy 17:2 speaks of killing disbelievers. Deuteronomy 13:12 speaks of killing an entire city of disbelievers. Deuteronomy 13:6 speaks of killing disbelieving family and friends. Deuteronomy 12:17 calls for death for not listening to a judge. Deuteronomy 21:21 prescribes death for disobeying parents.
The Bible also prescribes death for homosexual acts. These texts exist regardless of how people interpret them today.
Known anti-Islamic figures also appeared. One individual, who had publicly insulted the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and desecrated the Qur’an, attended. He had previously appeared in a documentary admitting he tried to kill his father with a hammer. Despite this, the event remained open. There were no barriers. People were free to watch, film, or join the prayer. It was fully inclusive.
A well-known anti-Islamic preacher from the UK also appeared. She mocked the event, bringing a dog to provoke Muslims and reinforce derogatory comparisons. She shouted slogans about cousin marriage.
Yet, cousin marriage exists in the Bible. Isaac and Rebecca were cousins. Jacob married Rachel and Leah, who were his cousins. Numbers 36:10 permits it. Abraham married his half-sister. These accusations ignore biblical history.
She mocked the prayer, claiming she had invalidated it by standing there with her dog. She misunderstood Islamic prayer rules. There was a sutrah present, a prayer barrier. This allows people to pass in front without affecting the prayer.
Others shouted, “Let faith be private. Public roads are not prayer halls.” Times Square is not a road. It is a public space that can be booked by any group of any faith.
The irony came the very next day. Jewish newspapers ran headlines such as “Jewish Pride Takes Over Times Square.” Massive screens displayed Jewish messages. Thousands gathered. No one banged pots. No one shouted anti-Jewish slogans. No protests appeared. No accusations of takeover were made.
Jewish teenagers from 60 countries filled Times Square for Havdalah and a concert. Screens displayed religious messages and videos of rabbis. The phrase “Am Yisrael Chai” was displayed and shouted. This slogan has become linked to Israeli aggression and the ongoing violence in Palestine, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed.
There was visible gender segregation. Signs read “Boys Entrance.” Roads were blocked to separate men and women. This took place publicly in Times Square, not in a synagogue. Different transport arrangements were announced for boys and girls. Separate trains were organised.
Security forces were present, including community patrol groups. Songs were sung in non-English languages. Large crowds gathered. Loud music played. Public access was heavily restricted. Yet none of this was framed as cultural invasion or takeover.
One speaker shouted from the stage that they would “make history tonight,” followed by dehumanising language about Gaza. This happened while Gaza have been devastated and tens of thousands have been killed.
Screens displayed slogans, flags from multiple countries, and community branding. The language of “takeover” was openly celebrated. “We’ve taken over Times Square,” people shouted.
Just days earlier, Muslims had prayed quietly, shared food, welcomed non-Muslims, and allowed open access.
No barricades. No segregation. No private security forces. No political slogans. No dehumanisation. No exclusion.
Yet the Muslim event was framed as dangerous, invasive, and threatening.
This case study shows clear hypocrisy. On the 20th, there was a Tarawih prayer. On the 21st, there was Havdalah and a concert. Both were religious events in the same public space. Only one was attacked and demonised.
The Muslim event aimed to educate, share, and build trust. It made worship visible, not hidden. It invited the public in. It challenged fear with openness. The reaction to it exposed prejudice, not concern for public space.
Nothing illegal happened. Nothing violent happened. Nothing aggressive happened.
What happened instead was transparency, community engagement, and peaceful worship.
This is why the outrage makes no sense.
