In a letter to the editor, Jersey City Ward A Committeeman Nabil Youssef says that Muslim Americans should honor 9/11 victims by delaying their Eid Al Adha celebrations this year.
Dear Editor:
On September 11, 2016 Muslims around the world will be celebrating one of their most important holidays, Eid al-Adha – the feast of sacrifice.
But, here in our homeland, the holiday will fall on the 15th anniversary of a terrorist attack in our nation. A Presidential Candidate in the 2016 election has claimed he saw “thousands and thousands of people cheering as that building was coming down.â€
This rhetoric was false and can’t be proven to this day, if we were to celebrate our Eid Holiday on September 11, 2016, we might be mistaken for celebrating our nation’s tragedy.
As a Muslim American, I can’t see myself or my family celebrating our religious holiday while the nation mourns for our fallen brothers and sisters who died during that evil attack in our beloved nation.
Muslim Americans resemble a thread of the American fabric, in comparison to other groups and or races; we aren’t less patriotic.
I’m asking Muslim leaders in Hudson County and Jersey City to postpone our celebration, outdoor prayers and festivity until Monday, September 12, 2016.
Our Muslim community in Jersey City has made history by receiving approval from the Jersey City Public Schools to close during our Eid Holiday for the very first time.
Let us honor the victims of September 11th and show support and respect to their families.
Let’s set an example from the best city in America, it’s a feast of sacrifice so let’s live up to its meaning. May God Bless you all and God Bless America – the greatest country on earth.
Nabil Youssef
Jersey City Ward A Committeeman