By Bill Parry
Hundreds of Muslims from every corner of the world made their way to Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights Monday to celebrate Eid Mubarak.
It is an annual holiday that lasts for three days to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
So many people came to Diversity Plaza that Imam Qazi Qayyoom, founder of the New York Eidgah, had to hold three separate observances to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
“Every year the crowds celebrating the breaking of the fast gets bigger,” organizer Shazia Kauser said. “We had to split it into the three prayer sessions because all of the people that wanted to pray couldn’t fit onto the plaza at once.”
Kauser is president of an organization called Sukhi New York that was instrumental in helping City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) create Diversity Plaza three years ago. Many of the local business owners who fought against the project, which closed 37th Road between 73rd and 74th streets to motor vehicle traffic, celebrated Eid Mubarak by praying on the space.
The founder of Sukhi New York, an immigrant group dedicated to prosperity and happiness in Jackson Heights, prayed with them.
“I was among those business owners that were against Diversity Plaza,” Agha Saleh said. “We thought it would hurt all of our businesses, but Shazia came to us and said we should turn away from our negativity and show the city our positives. It was difficult in the beginning, but we wanted a better neighborhood.”
Three years later, the plaza is used as a town square by many faiths, according to Saleh.
“We have Christmas trees, Diwali celebrations and this today,” he said. “It’s become a capital of the living United Nations where 82 languages are spoken. It’s a mecca for immigrants and everyone comes to Jackson Heights. It’s a dream come true.”
It also offers a de facto support group for immigrants whose homelands have been plunged into chaos with conflict in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and Gaza.
“It’s a horrible time in the world and everyone on the plaza has family in danger back home,” Saleh said. “People find comfort in their new family here on Diversity Plaza.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
