2026 kicked off with a bold proclamation from New York Governor Kathy Hochul—January officially earned the declaration as Muslim American Heritage Month in New York State. The state boasts the highest population of Muslims of any state, almost 1 million in total. Of those, almost 700,000 of those Muslims live in New York City, making up about 8% of the metropolis' population.

At those statistics, it is undeniable that Muslim customs and culture play a transformative role in shaping the city. New York City literally turned green this month, with several landmarks illuminated in honor of the special month. One World Trade Center in FiDi Manhattan, the Kosciuszko Bridge in Queens, Niagara Falls, and Empire State Plaza in Albany will shine green.

The recognition aims to celebrate the contributions of Muslim Americans and honor the faith, values, and traditions. Simultaneously, it aims to destigmatize the narratives surrounding an often-discriminated-against group suffering from chronic Islamophobia.

“Home to the largest Muslim American population in the nation, New York is proud to join in this month-long celebration, recognizing the values, faith, and traditions of our Muslim American communities,” Governor Hochul said. “New York remains committed to being a beacon of hope, tolerance, and inclusivity that celebrates the diversity of its Muslim American population and protects them from Islamophobia, hate, bias, and harm.”

Mayor Mamdani, faced this discrimination, even when running for office with a dream to make New York City a more affordable and better place for its people.

While Governor Kathy Hochul is the leader who proclaimed January Muslim American Heritage Month, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is elated by the news and highlights the importance of Muslims in American communities: "Muslims have been part of New York for centuries." We have built small businesses, raised our families, pursued every profession, enriched our culture and cuisine, and been a part of what makes our city what it is today."

From Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad who represented the United states in Brazil to Ernest Hamwi—the Syrian-Muslim-American who turned Zalabia (a Syrian waffle) into an ice cream cone at the St. Louis World Fair and forever changed the food industry in 1904—Muslims shaped this country and help raise the American flag higher.

The illumination of state landmarks green in the nation's most-visited city will aims to spark conversation, community and inspire locals to love more, as a central message of Islam.

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