First Responders Outraged After Muslim Prayer Mats ‘Defile’ 9/11 Memorial In NYC

The placement of Muslim prayer rugs in front of an FDNY memorial honoring firefighters killed on 9/11 is drawing backlash from members who say the Ramadan observance crossed a line.

Earlier this month, the FDNY Islamic Society, a fraternal group of Muslim employees, hosted an iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan, “in coordination with the FDNY and the Mayor’s Office,” officials said.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, attended the gathering at FDNY headquarters alongside Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore and roughly 125 members and guests.

The event itself was held inside the FDNY auditorium at Metrotech Plaza, as in prior years. Photos released by the department show the March 4 meal taking place inside the meeting space.

But for the first time in memory, more than a dozen prayer rugs were laid out in the building’s lobby, according to an unofficial photo. The rugs were placed side by side near a large memorial plaque bearing the names of firefighters killed in the line of duty, including the 343 who died in the World Trade Center attacks.

A microphone stood beside the row of rugs.

Across the lobby, another plaque — not visible in the photo — lists 409 FDNY members who later died of cancer and other illnesses tied to toxic exposure at Ground Zero.

The setup sparked outrage from some firefighters and 9/11 families.

New York City Councilmember Joann Ariola, R-Queens, said her office received more than 20 complaints from first responders and relatives of those killed or sickened after the attacks.

“As someone who respects the sacrifices made by all FDNY members, I believe the Muslim group involved, along with city leadership (including the Mayor), showed a real lack of sensitivity,” an active firefighter wrote.

“The auditorium, already in use as a dining hall, could easily have served a dual purpose for any ritual or gathering—keeping the memorial lobby untouched and focused on its solemn role. We owe it to the fallen and their families to treat that space with the utmost respect and inclusivity that truly honors everyone who served.”

Ariola questioned why the lobby was used at all.

“This is a building full of conference rooms and meeting spaces, and they had the entire auditorium for their event. Why, of all places, did they choose a hallway directly in front of a 9/11 memorial?” she said.

“It is a memorial, and should be sacrosanct, not a space for people to be congregating regardless of religion or rationale.”

FDNY officials defended the event, saying it followed standard practice for recognizing religious observances.

FDNY spokeswoman Amanda Farinacci said in an email the department “routinely marks religious occasions in support of its affinity groups and this one was no different.”

“The ceremony followed the traditional iftar, breaking the fast immediately at sunset and after the Maghrib prayer,” Farinacci said.

“Due to capacity issues inside the auditorium, the rugs were placed in the lobby.”

She added there was no “intended disrespect.”

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