All posts tagged: Mayor Zohran Mamdani

NY City Council passes bill to protect Muslim pilgrims from Hajj scams

NY City Council passes bill to protect Muslim pilgrims from Hajj scams

(RNS) — The New York City Council passed a bill to educate New Yorkers on scams related to the Hajj and Umrah, the Islamic pilgrimages performed by millions every year. The first of its kind, the New York City bill aims to protect pilgrims, and particularly seniors, navigating the Hajj travel industry from scams related to travel, accommodation, catering services and visa applications. “Fraudulent travel packages, fake visa brokers, and predatory booking services have for too long targeted New York City Muslims who save for years to make these pilgrimages,” wrote Harlem Council Member Yusef Salaam, who sponsored the bill and is a Muslim, in a press release. Hajj, which begins on Sunday (May 24), is a seven-day pilgrimage that Muslims are expected to complete in their lifetime if they have the means and are physically fit. It is considered one of Islam’s five pillars and takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, one of Islam’s holiest sites. Umrah, another pilgrimage to Mecca, is a non-mandatory ritual and can be accomplished at any time. Since 2022, …

Sidelined from legacy institutions, a movement centering Judaism outside Israel rises

Sidelined from legacy institutions, a movement centering Judaism outside Israel rises

(RNS) — A group of synagogues, nonprofits and small lay-led prayer communities previously on the margins of the Jewish establishment have formed a new association as an effort to better advocate for their emerging vision of Judaism in the 21st century. The association, the Jewish Diaspora Movement, launched Monday (May 18), consists of 40 groups, mostly in North America, that are united in their rejection of Israel’s ethno-nationalist Judaism. Though not explicitly anti-Zionist, the association is committed to centering the diaspora, rather than Israel, and working toward the liberation of all people, it said in announcing the association.  “We joyfully view wherever we are in the entire world as our home and reject the vision of Judaism that is state-centric, militarist, ethno-nationalist,” said a news release announcing the new association. The “founding minyan,” or quorum of groups, under the new umbrella includes Jewish Voice for Peace, the largest organization of anti-Zionists in the country, and Rabbis for Ceasefire, a coalition of rabbis that emerged in the wake of Israel’s war on Gaza. It also includes …

Explosives thrown near New York City mayor’s residence investigated as ‘ISIS-related terrorism’

Explosives thrown near New York City mayor’s residence investigated as ‘ISIS-related terrorism’

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s police commissioner said Monday that authorities are investigating whether men who brought improvised explosive devices to a protest outside New York City’s mayoral residence were inspired by ISIS. The devices, which did not explode, were hurled during raucous counterprotests Saturday near Gracie Mansion during a “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” event led by the far right activist Jake Lang. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the explosives could have caused serious injury or death. Two people are in custody for their alleged roles in the confrontation but they have not been charged, Tisch said during a news conference. Police are working with federal prosecutors and the FBI, which has assigned agents with the bureau’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to the investigation. “I can confirm this morning that this is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism,” Tisch said. The two have not been charged. Tisch said police were working with federal prosecutors and the FBI on the case. The FBI said agents with the bureau’s Joint Terrorism Task Force …