First Muslim delegation marches in New York’s Israel Day Parade

By AI, Created 5:46 AM UTC, June 01, 2026, /AGP/ – AMMWEC President Dr. Anila Ali led the first-ever Muslim delegation to march in New York City’s Israel Day Parade on Sunday, joining thousands on Fifth Avenue under the banner “Muslims For Israel.” The appearance came as Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped the event, adding a political backdrop to a public show of Muslim-Jewish solidarity.

Why it matters: - The march put Muslim support for Israel and interfaith coexistence on display at one of New York City’s biggest public celebrations. - The delegation’s appearance challenged stereotypes about Muslim-Jewish relations and highlighted a visible pro-peace message in a polarized moment. - The event also landed amid a notable political split, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani declining to attend the parade.

What happened: - Dr. Anila Ali, president of AMMWEC, led the first-ever Muslim delegation to march in New York’s Israel Day Parade on Sunday. - The delegation marched down Fifth Avenue under the banner “Muslims For Israel.” - Thousands lined Fifth Avenue with American and Israeli flags as the parade unfolded. - The annual parade drew tens of thousands of participants under the theme “Proud Americans, Proud Zionists.” - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani did not attend, becoming the first New York City mayor in decades to skip the event.

The details: - The delegation included representatives from AMMWEC, Muslim Israel Dialogue, Abraham PRC, Muslim Women Speakers, and the Global Youth Unity Project. - Dr. Ali said the march was “a declaration that the forces of peace are stronger than the forces of hate.” - Dr. Ali said Muslim participants were affirming their identity as “proud Muslims, proud Americans” and believers in an Abrahamic bond among Jews, Christians and Muslims. - AMMWEC was among the first Muslim groups in America to publicly support the Abraham Accords. - The group said the accords represented an opportunity for reconciliation, economic cooperation and regional stability. - Dr. Ali said the delegation rejected the idea that Muslims and Jews are destined to be enemies. - The march featured Muslim men and women carrying Israeli and American flags together on Fifth Avenue. - Organizers and participants also included Jews, Christians, Latino Americans, women leaders, students and interfaith advocates. - The Bangladeshi-American community in New York had particularly strong participation. - Sheikh Musa Drammeh of Muslims-Israel Dialogue said, “New Yorkers from all stripes reaffirm the unbreakable bond between New York and Israel today on fifth Ave.”

Between the lines: - The delegation turned a parade appearance into a public rebuke of religious division and political polarization. - The timing suggested a deliberate contrast between elected officials staying away and community members showing up in person. - The message from AMMWEC and allied groups was aimed as much at audiences in New York as at broader debates over Middle East politics.

What’s next: - AMMWEC is likely to keep promoting public interfaith engagement and coexistence through advocacy and community events. - The parade appearance may give the organization a larger platform as debates over Israel, Muslim identity and civic solidarity continue in New York.

The bottom line: - Muslim participation in the Israel Day Parade marked a symbolic first and a highly visible call for coexistence in a tense political moment.