It wasn’t so long ago that New York City mayor Bill de Blasio threatened to shut down all the Christian churches in his city permanently. He went bonkers when people wanted to celebrate Easter. But, now it is the Muslim holiday season known as a Ramadan. Instead of closing them down for not social distancing, de Blasio is giving them a half a million meals.
de Blasio said:
“One of Ramadan’s most noble callings is to feed the hungry. And it’s a crucial part of how the holiday is celebrated, to remember to be there for those in need. And that is now harder than ever.”
“Obviously, people can’t go to their mosques,” he continued. “In fact, mosques have often been a place that those who were hungry, those who were poor, would know they could go during Ramadan to break the fast.”
“They knew there would always be a meal there for them. That’s not going to be true in this season. So we want to, the city of New York wants to, support this community as we’re supporting all communities.”
As Muslim New Yorkers prepare to start the holy month of Ramadan tonight, Mayor Bill de Blasio says the city is taking steps to support the Muslim community with Halal food programs.
“Over half a million meals will be distributed during Ramadan” for Muslim New Yorkers in need pic.twitter.com/d4PbFtGMa5
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 23, 2020
“So over half-a-million meals will be distributed during Ramadan,” he said.
The mayor stressed supporting “this community as we’re supporting all communities,” also mentioning the city creating Kosher food programs as well.
It is important “to recognize that we are all in this together,” de Blasio continued.
“We want to respect all the people, all the faiths of New York City,” he said. “This is part of what makes New York City so great–that we have that mutual respect.”
De Blasio emphasized that food is available for “any New Yorker,” promising that “no New Yorker will go hungry.”
“Any New Yorker needs food, it will always be there for you during this crisis. Your city will provide,” he said. “There’s no question.
Ramadan began on Thursday and ends May 23.