Celebrating Eid in NYC: Looks from Hasan Minhaj, Ramy Youssef and More

Washington Sq. Park is thought for its full of life environment and eclectic characters. That was no completely different on Wednesday morning, when a whole lot of Muslims crammed the park to attend a morning prayer gathering for Eid al-Fitr, the vacation that marks the top of the holy month of Ramadan.

Folks rejoice Eid by getting dressed to the nines, which is why some jokingly confer with it because the Muslim Met Gala. Many got here to Washington Sq. Park sporting colourful conventional clothes like galabeyas, grand boubous, salwar kameez, thobes, kurtas and abayas, a few of which had been accessorized with opulent jewels or swipes of darkish kajal eyeliner. Others selected extra informal garments — like the comic Ramy Youssef, who wore a hoodie and a inexperienced baseball cap.

On the morning of Eid, there are lots of massive prayer gatherings all through New York — in mosques, at highschool soccer fields, on blocked-off streets. The prayer on the Decrease Manhattan park, which befell beneath its Roman arch, is thought for drawing a various crowd consultant of the 2 billion Muslims globally. Additionally it is recognized to draw notable individuals like Mr. Youssef in addition to the comedian Hasan Minhaj and the MSNBC anchor Ayman Mohyeldin, each of whom additionally attended.

The annual Eid al-Fitr gathering at Washington Sq. Park was began greater than 10 years in the past by leaders of the Islamic Heart at N.Y.U. “We had been simply attempting to conceptualize house that would match our rising numbers and be a memorable expertise,” stated the middle’s director, Imam Khalid Latif, who led this yr’s prayer earlier than giving a khutbah, or sermon.

“It may be very affirming figuring out that in a metropolis as massive as New York, you’re not by your self, you’re not alone,” Mr. Khalid added. “And it helps individuals additionally round us who we share house with, who’re our neighbors, to know that we’re Muslim, and we’re right here as properly.”

The prayer gathering’s first attendees began arriving at 7:30 a.m. Many shortly noticed mates and relations, greeting them with cries of, “Eid mubarak,” or “blessed Eid,” as they embraced. By 9:15 a.m., individuals started making their method to the properties of family members, an Eid custom referred to as home hopping that entails serving a lot of meals.

Throughout the gathering, The New York Instances spoke to attendees about their outfits, their favourite Eid recollections and what impressed them to start out the vacation at Washington Sq. Park.

Interviews have been edited.

Kojo Muharib

Occupation: Artist

Age: 31

Heritage: Ghanaian

How did Eid encourage your outfit? I used to be impressed by God. God stated it was going to be cloudy immediately. So I needed to come out wanting just like the solar. That’s why I’ve on gold — I needed to come and shine.

Hasan Minhaj

Age: 38

Heritage: Indian

Why did you come to this gathering? It’s so spiritually shifting to be with such a various group right here on the iconic Washington Sq. park. To hearken to Imam Khalid Latif’s khutbah, and simply see the variety in the neighborhood, is so touching and superb.

Inform me about your outfit. Eid is the one time the place we placed on our greatest, most fashionable garments. It’s a day to flex slightly bit. The entire household is matching: We’re all sporting tones of black and white with embroidery.

Zeinab Bakillah, Abderrahman Bakillah and Emna Bakillah

Occupations: Lawyer; finance affiliate; doctor

Ages: 27; 26; 29

Heritage: Moroccan and Tunisian

How did Eid encourage your outfits?

ZEINAB BAKILLAH I’m sporting a conventional Tunisian outfit. We simply costume up slightly bit extra on this vacation. I selected one thing that’s extra conventional to embrace our tradition.

ABDERRAHMAN BAKILLAH I’d say the identical factor with the galabeya. We’re half Moroccan, half Tunisian.

EMNA BAKILLAH This costume belongs to my mother, who handed away 5 years in the past. Yearly on Eid, I attempt to put on one thing of hers. Each Eid, she was actually good about getting the household all collectively.

Narmeen Choudhury and Abdul Quadir Choudhury

Occupations: Journalist; retired pharmacist

Ages: 43; 78

Heritage: Bangladeshi

How did Eid encourage your outfits?

NARMEEN CHOUDHURY Once I was in Bangladesh final summer season, I believed concerning the upcoming Eid, as a result of it’s so troublesome generally to seek out outfits right here in New York. I all the time take into consideration one thing that’s reflective of our tradition. And modesty, clearly, for once you’re praying.

What’s your favourite Eid reminiscence?

ABDUL QUADIR CHOUDHURY I moved right here in 1973. That Eid, we did the prayer in Manhattan; small, not that many Muslims. Now, so many Eid prayers.

Sarah Elawad

Occupation: Graphic designer

Age: 27

Heritage: Sudanese

Inform me about your outfit. My mum acquired it for me, and Eid is all about household. I’m lacking my mum immediately — she’s in Qatar. On the best way right here, on the practice, I sat subsequent to a woman who was clearly dressed for Eid as properly. I stated “Eid mubarak,” and we ended up strolling over right here collectively. That’s the attractive factor about celebrating today, is being round different individuals who additionally rejoice.

What’s your favourite Eid style reminiscence? Most likely this one: That is the primary time that I attempted so as to add my very own contact to my outfit by bringing my very own layering and style into it as properly.

Alhassane Barry

Occupation: N.Y.U. scholar

Heritage: Guinean

How did Eid encourage your outfit? That is really a present from my brother. This can be a Moroccan thobe. He purchased it a few months in the past, nevertheless it’s impressed me to indicate out and embrace my tradition.

What does this gathering imply to you? It means every thing to me. It showcases a group that we’re nonetheless constructing. You may see bystanders strolling by and saying: “Hey, this one thing that’s cool. I ought to look into this, in all probability.” So I believe it simply showcases that we’re not afraid to take delight in our faith.

Isa Hussain

Occupation: Dancer

Age: 23

Heritage: Guyanese

Inform me about your outfit. So final evening I really went to Jackson Heights as a result of there’s all the time a big festival there. I acquired this kurta there. I acquired the kajal for immediately particularly. I don’t normally do lots of make-up or something like that. So that is sort of just like the day that I get slightly bit extra enjoyable with it. I used to wrap my head rather a lot again within the day. However I haven’t executed it shortly.

What’s your favourite Eid reminiscence? I used to be really in Nazareth for Eid in 2019. And it was so lovely. There have been lights all over the place and kids enjoying with toys.

Onu Mezbah

Occupation: Gross sales

Age: 32

Heritage: Bangladeshi

How did Eid encourage your outfit? I wished a contemporary tackle our heritage: a tad little bit of coloration, a little bit of a distinct silhouette than what everyone else is sporting. All people’s wanting so good. It’s very refreshing.

Fatima Abba and Iman Abba

Occupation: Pupil; biomedical engineer

Age: 19; 30

Heritage: Nigerian

What’s your favourite Eid style reminiscence?

FATIMA ABBA Final yr, I wore one thing that I didn’t assume I might put on. I wore pink.

Abdoulaye Ndiaye

Occupation: Professor

Age: 35

Heritage: Senegalese

Inform me about your outfit. So it is a grand boubou from Senegal. It was really my marriage ceremony night costume as properly.

What’s your plan for the remainder of the day? We’re going to have a brunch, then we’re going to host some individuals at my place close by. After which, at 2 p.m., I’m educating. I’m giving an examination to my college students. At 5:30, I’m taking a flight to go to Duke to provide a lecture there.

Saima Anjam

Occupation: Authorities affairs

Age: 40

Heritage: Pakistani

How did Eid encourage your outfit? Once I was rising up, I used to be all the time taught that it is best to all the time look your finest on Eid.

Why did you come to this gathering? It’s very numerous. It’s very accepting. And I wished to be part of that on this very big day.