VIDEO: For the first time in US history, Muslims perform Taraweeh prayers at New York Times Square

Worshippers gather for the Taraweeh prayers at Times Square.

Syed Shayaan Bakht, Gulf Today

In a rare event, hundreds of Muslims gathered and prayed Taraweeh at Times Square in New York on Saturday to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

For the first time in history, Muslims performed the Taraweeh prayer in this iconic place in the United States.

The event organiser told local media that Muslims living in the United States want to celebrate Ramadan in this emblematic place in the heart of New York City to show others that Islam is a peaceful religion.

The organisers said that there is a misconception about Islam.  

“We want to explain our religion to all who don`t know what is it about… Islam is a religion of peace.”

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan — when the faithful fast from dawn to dusk - began at sunrise on Saturday.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart.

Ramadan tradition calls for colourful lanterns and lights strung throughout narrow alleys and around mosques in many Middle Eastern countries.