Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Eid Mubarak. As-salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. It is an honor to be with you today on this sacred and joyful day. And I want to first and foremost say thank you to the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx, Markaz Saqafi. I want to say thanks to Masjid Wahab, Masjid Tawba, Masjid Darul Arkam and Masjid Makki. I want to also acknowledge my brother for the very kind words and the friendship as well as our borough president, Vanessa Gibson, who is here with us.
I was born in Uganda, in East Africa. The continent will always hold a special place in my heart. And I understand that today we have an incredible amount of African representation here with us at the Eid prayers. It's a pleasure to be with brothers and sisters who have roots in the Gambia, Mali, Ghana, Mauritania, Senegal, Tolgo, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Guinea and elsewhere across the continent and beyond. I also want to extend my congratulations to the brothers and sisters who have just completed hajj - may you bring your renewed sense of hope home to all of us. Today, as we honor Prophet Ibrahim (may peace be upon him) and his willingness to sacrifice, we reflect on our responsibilities to one another, and we extend the hand to those that need it most. What I love about Eid al-Adha is that it is a reminder that sacrifice is not a burden. It is not rigid equation where one party leaves with more and the other with less; it is instead an opportunity to understand ourselves as part of something larger.
And as New York City's first Muslim mayor, I am determined to lead through this lens of solidarity - to ensure that each and every person who calls this city home can continue to afford to do so. I know that what is otherwise a joyous day that we look forward to for the entire year is one that also comes at a time of pain for many here. Pain, whether it is for the grieving of the deadly attack at the San Diego mosque. Pain, whether it is out of fear for loved ones abroad, or for those who face hardship here in New York City. And in times like these, I am comforted by the words of Surah Ali-Imran 103: "Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together, and do not become divided." As we enjoy our Thiébou Yapp and couscous today, let us remember that our sacrifice will bring with it not only greater peace but also greater prosperity. Thank you all so much. Peace be upon you.
