Muslims in New York City boycotted Mayor Eric Adams’ Iftar dinner on Tuesday, March 19th, due to his lack of support for ceasefire calls in Gaza and aid/food to Palestinians.
The Islamic Leadership Council of New York, in a post on X, wrote, “We are calling on the Muslim community for a total and complete boycott of elected officials from our sacred places of worship in this month of Ramadan as we see continued silence on calling for a permanent ceasefire and disregard for the lives of Palestinians by our officials.”
The Islamic Leadership Council of New York, an organization that encompasses over 90 mosques and organizations, has voiced concerns for the Muslim community since its founding in 1989.
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) issued a strong rebuke last Friday of Mayor Eric Adams’ March 19th Ramadan Iftar celebration, calling it hypocritical in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
On Tuesday, March 19th, thousands of people gathered to boycott the Iftar held at the Surrogate Court Building on Chambers Street. Muslim Imams and community leaders were invited to join for Maghrib prayer and break their fast. Muslim groups and leaders across the city boycotted the event, expressing anger at Mayor Adams for not supporting a call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Outside of the building, protesters were heard chanting, “Eric Adams is a zionist” and “Eric Adams is a rapist.”
CAIR-NY, recognized as the largest Muslim civil rights group in the United States, has taken a firm stance by urging the mayor to advocate for a definitive halt to the violence in Gaza.
The advocacy group highlighted the grim toll of the conflict, pointing out that over 31,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 13,000 children, with many more missing beneath the rubble and others succumbing to starvation due to a blockade.
Afaf Nasher, CAIR-NY’s Executive Director, criticized the inconsistency of public officials who claim to stand with the Muslim community while supporting actions that result in the loss of Palestinian lives. “Refusing to call for an immediate ceasefire amounts to complicity in the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people,” Nasher stated.
She emphasized that such inaction not only betrays the Palestinian cause but also endangers Muslim New Yorkers by contributing to a rise in hate crimes and discrimination. Nasher rallied for a united demand for a ceasefire and a lasting resolution that upholds the dignity and liberation rights of Palestinian families.
Last month, NYC Councilwoman Shahana Hanif, a leader of the Council’s Progressive Caucus, also demanded the boycott of the mayor’s iftar event during Ramadan. She said, “You’re not going to let my colleagues go to the mosques in our neighborhoods if they’ve not called for a permanent ceasefire. They are not allowed.”
Hanif emphasized that the Muslim community in New York City is “crystal clear” regarding its demands for a permanent, lasting ceasefire. She stated, “When the New York City Muslim community observes Ramadan, we will be mourning the mass slaughter in Gaza and praying for liberation, compassion, safety, and empathy. As the death toll in Gaza passes 31,000, our grief is overwhelming.”
Similarly, Within Our Lifetime leader Abdullah Akl said, “No one should be sitting down with this mayor; no one should be entertaining this mayor; no one should be talking to him.”
Mayor Adams has been scrutinized for his unwavering support of Israel amid the violence in Gaza and for equating pro-Palestine demonstrators with extremists.
The mayor has not made any appeals for a ceasefire, a stop to the killing of women and children, or for aid to Palestinians currently facing a famine in Gaza.
Muslim voters throughout the country are making their voices heard. In the recent Michigan presidential primary, Muslims did not vote for Joe Biden.
On a primary night, after over 100k voters did not vote for Biden. Abdullah Hammoud, Dearborn’s Democratic Mayor said, “In the city of Dearborn we have demonstrated that the issue of Gaza is not an issue that is only of concern to Arab Americans and Muslim Americans. But this is an issue to all Americans from coast to coast.”
Due to Biden’s stance on the Israel-Gaza war, Muslims across the nation have launched a national “Abandon Biden” campaign, with many communities vowing not to vote for him in the upcoming primary and general elections.
Mayor Adams is up for reelection in 2025. Adams won the 2021 Mayoral Democratic primary by less than 1%, almost 8 thousand votes. The Muslim community has not yet launched an “Abandon Adams” type campaign for the 2025 Mayoral Democratic primary but is expected to.
The anger of the Muslim community towards Adams is palpable. Adams’ continued refusal to call for a ceasefire may cost him the votes of NYC’s Muslims.
