Muslims Fear Backlash For Celebrating Eid-al-Adha If It Falls On 9/11 Anniversary

Muslim leaders in New York have spoken out over fears that a Muslim holy day could fall on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this year.

The holiday, Eid al-Adha falls 10 days after the start of Dhu al-Hijjah on the Islamic calendar - and depends on when a new moon is spotted.

The holy day looks likely to fall on September 11 this year.

Habeeb Ahmed, president of the Islamic Center of Long Island said, ‘Some people might want to make something out of that. “Look at these Muslims, they are celebrating 9/11.”’

Tensions are already high in New York after the murder of a Bangladeshi imam and his friend earlier this month.

The two men were killed in what was described as an ‘assassination’, after a 35-year-old porter, Oscar Morel, approached from behind and shot them in the head.

Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York said, ‘“Our community is like, “What are we supposed to do? What am I supposed to tell my kids?”