I had never heard of a “Muslim World Day Parade” in New York City before reading this article. It never occurred to me that since we have a parade for practically every other culture, perhaps we have one for Muslims too. It’s good that despite the nationwide animosity toward Muslims after the 9/11 attacks, the city still looks for ways to reach out to them.
Unlike other New York City parades, this one begins with the marchers transforming the beginning of the parade into an “outdoor mosque.” The floats in this parade take the shape of the three holiest mosques of Islam. This makes it very unique compared to the other cultural parades that are associated with New York City. The Muslim culture is demonstrated through the floats, marchers, and dancers, as in most other parades. One of the most interesting features of this parade is the abundance of banners and signs that carry the word of Islam. Some of the banners say things like, “The Qur’an is the guidance for all mankind.” This can be looked at as a way of trying to recruit members to their religion. Other signs bear facts about Allah and the prophets of Islam. Whereas other parades would have advertising banners or something completely unrelated to the culture, it is obvious that the people of this parade are proud to be Muslim and want to demonstrate that to the onlookers.
Ever since the Muslim stereotyping began by 9/11, most of the nation has felt bitterness and resentment toward the Muslim culture as a whole. While this is within reason, it is not necessary to “phase out” all Muslims. It is natural for Americans to feel this way toward them, but there is a point where they need to realize that the September 11 attacks were not carried out by all Muslims, and therefore not all Muslims are terrorists. This Muslim World Day Parade is a start.
