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Statement From the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes on Incident Following Muslim American Heritage Month Observance
The New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes extends heartfelt gratitude to the community partners, performers, speakers, and guests who joined us for our historic Muslim American Heritage Month Celebration. The evening reflected the strength, diversity, and unity of our city, as communities came together to share culture, stories, and traditions that deepen understanding and strengthen bonds across faiths and backgrounds.
We are also aware of an incident that occurred after the event as attendees exited the building, during which community leaders were followed by agitators. Individuals outside the venue engaged in harassment and intimidation- shouting derogatory Islamophobic language at participants, including women, children, and families. We strongly condemn this behavior. No one should experience intimidation or harassment because of their faith, identity, or participation in community events. We stand in solidarity with those impacted, and we appreciate the support of law enforcement officers who assisted in ensuring attendees were able to leave safely. We are exploring next steps to hold these individuals accountable for their actions.
Celebrations like these are vital to building empathy, fostering dialogue, and creating spaces where all New Yorkers feel welcomed and valued. We remain committed to honoring the histories and contributions that make our city vibrant while continuing to promote inclusion, mutual respect, and community connection.
OPHC remains committed to ensuring New Yorkers can gather safely and without fear. We are working with law enforcement and community partners to bolster security protocols for all future events, and to ensure safety for the upcoming Ramadan season. As always, we will continue working with community stakeholders to advance education, prevention, and dialogue that strengthen safety, dignity, and mutual respect across our city. Hate will never win.