Hochul declares Muslim American Heritage Month, illuminating 16 state landmarks

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday issued a proclamation declaring January Muslim American Heritage Month throughout the state and directed 16 state landmarks, together with NYC's One World Commerce Middle, to be illuminated inexperienced Friday night time in "celebration of the heritage and tradition of Muslim People."

"House to the most important Muslim American inhabitants within the nation, New York is proud to hitch on this month-long celebration, recognizing the values, religion and traditions of our Muslim American communities," Hochul mentioned in a statement .

"New York stays dedicated to being a beacon of hope, tolerance, and inclusivity that celebrates the range of its Muslim American inhabitants and protects them from Islamophobia, hate, bias, and hurt."

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One World Commerce Middle stands on the positioning of 6 World Commerce Middle, which was closely broken by particles throughout the collapse of the North Tower within the 9/11 attacks .

The terrorists who carried out the 9/11 assaults have been Muslim and members of al Qaeda, a violent militant group.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/01/1200/675/one-world-trade-center-nyc.png?ve=1&tl=1" alt="The Tribute in Light is illuminated above the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center behind the Statue of Liberty ahead of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York City on September 10, 2025, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey." width="1200" height="675"/> The Tribute in Mild is illuminated above the skyline of Decrease Manhattan and One World Commerce Middle behind the Statue of Liberty forward of the twenty fourth anniversary of the 9/11 assaults in New York Metropolis Sept. 10, 2025. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Pictures)

The transfer got here simply someday after New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani was sworn in with the Quran as the primary Muslim mayor of the town.

"Whereas I used to be proud to be sworn in as our city’s first Muslim mayor [Thursday], Muslims have been a part of New York for hundreds of years," Mamdani mentioned in an announcement. "We've got constructed small companies, raised our households, pursued each career, enriched our tradition and delicacies, and been part of what makes our metropolis what it's right now.

"I'm grateful for Governor Hochul’s management in recognizing these many contributions and guaranteeing that each January, Muslim New Yorkers can see ourselves mirrored and acknowledged in a metropolis and state that can be our residence."

Different Muslim politicians, together with New York State Assembly Deputy Majority Chief Charles Fall, state Sen. Robert Jackson, New York Metropolis Councilmember Shahana Hanif and New York Metropolis Councilmember Yusef Salaam applauded the designation, thanking Hochul for honoring the group and selling inclusivity.

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor on a pair of household Qurans Thursday. (Amir Hamja/Pool by way of Reuters)

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Council of Peoples Group CEO Mohammad Razvi famous the Muslim group has "demonstrated resilience within the years following 9/11 whereas persevering with to strengthen New York by way of immigrant contributions , civic management and repair. This recognition affirms our place within the social, cultural and civic lifetime of our state. … This second displays New York’s continued dedication to civil rights, non secular freedom, unity and interfaith solidarity and to making sure that folks of all backgrounds are seen, valued and included."

Whereas anti-Muslim hate crime elevated after the 9/11 assaults, Jews have been focused extra often than all different teams mixed in New York Metropolis in 2024, with anti-Jewish incidents accounting for 54% of all hate crimes, based on a report from The Times of Israel.

One World Commerce Middle can be considered one of 16 landmarks illuminated in honor of Muslim American Heritage Month. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Pictures)

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The Institute for Social Coverage and Understanding reported the Muslim group in New York Metropolis makes up 12.5% of pharmacists, 40% of taxi drivers and greater than 57% of road meals distributors.

Fox Information Digital has reached out to organizations supporting 9/11 victims, survivors and their households for remark.

Alexandra Koch is a Fox Information Digital journalist who covers breaking information, with a deal with high-impact occasions that form nationwide dialog.

She has lined main nationwide crises, together with the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror assault, and Texas Hill Nation floods.