Westchester Muslim Center to observe Ramadan virtually

Thousands of Muslims across the Hudson Valley will practice the start of the Holy Month in a unique way.

News 12 Staff

Apr 24, 2020, 6:19 PM

Updated 1,695 days ago

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Thousands of Muslims across the Hudson Valley will practice the start of the Holy Month in a unique way.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the closure of mosques like Mount Vernon's Westchester Muslim Center. 
Since the beginning of March, the center with an affiliated school has been closed due to coronavirus concerns.
Chairman of the Board at the Westchester Muslim Center Dr. Muhammad Naeem says, “As a physician, I knew something was coming.”
News 12 is told all activities at the center have been canceled and daily religious prayers will be streamed live online.
“Last night we had 429 people checking the live stream,” says Naeem.
Members were initially skeptical of the live stream technology but are now embracing it.
During the Holy Month, Dr. Naeem says the center usually hosts about 800 people for evening prayer at 9:45 p.m.
The organization usually offers a free dinner during Ramadan, but due to the NY PAUSE they're helping the less fortunate in other ways.
Muslim leaders say although members have to practice differently this year, it will make them more resilient.
“We should come out, more stronger and more faithful comes end of Ramadan,” says Naeem.
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