Muslim American Society of New York Reaffirms Commitment to Justice and Palestinian Liberation

The Muslim American Society of New York (MAS-NY) has issued a statement taking full responsibility for what it describes as a clear violation of its policies during the recent Bronx Muslim Center (BMC) Community Iftar.

The organization expressed regret over the presence of elected officials and law enforcement figures whose policies and actions contradict the principles upheld by MAS-NY.

MAS-NY reaffirmed that its policy strictly prohibits inviting Islamophobes, pro-Zionists, and law enforcement to its community and faith events. The organization clarified that these guidelines are designed to protect Muslim spaces as safe havens for empowerment and principled advocacy for justice.

“Our policy is clear: We do not invite Islamophobes, pro-Zionists, or law enforcement to our community and faith events. These guidelines exist to protect our spaces as places of safety, empowerment, and principled advocacy for justice and to avoid platforming those who simultaneously undermine the interests of Muslims at home and abroad,” the statement read.

The organization acknowledged that the BMC’s failure to adhere to this policy resulted in pro-Zionist officials and Mayor Eric Adams being present at the event—an outcome MAS-NY deems unacceptable due to the mayor’s stance and policies. Furthermore, MAS-NY condemned the presence of the NYPD at the faith gathering, citing ongoing violations of students’ rights to assemble and protest against injustices in Palestine.

Recognizing the impact this misstep has had on the community, MAS-NY offered a formal apology and pledged to take corrective measures to prevent future breaches.

“We recognize the harm this has caused in our community. We deeply regret the breach of trust and recognize the need for stronger enforcement of our policies to prevent such violations in the future. Our relationships with public officials must be rooted in holding them accountable, not granting them access to our spaces without scrutiny.”

To address the incident, MAS-NY announced an internal accountability process aimed at strengthening adherence to its policies and ensuring that such violations do not occur again.

MAS-NY concluded by reaffirming its commitment to justice and the full liberation of Palestine. The organization emphasized that accountability is a core principle of its advocacy and that this same standard must be applied internally.

“Upholding our values requires that we apply the same accountability to ourselves that we demand from others,” the statement concluded.

The announcement underscores MAS-NY’s continued stance as a vocal advocate for justice, ensuring that its spaces remain dedicated to the empowerment of Muslim communities and the pursuit of global equity.