OPEN HOUSE & COMMUNITY IFTAR AT THE BROOKLYN ISLAMIC CENTER (FREE)

Open House & Community Iftar

Sunday, March 8th, 5:00 p.m.

 

All are welcome. 

 

From the Brooklyn Islamic Center:

Ramadan Kareem, Kensington!

You’re warmly invited to a special evening of connection and community at the Open House & Community Iftar hosted by the Brooklyn Islamic Center.

Sunday, March 8, 2026
5:00 PM
715 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218

 

Join us for a beautiful evening of reflection, meaningful conversations, and a shared Iftar meal as we break fast together. Whether you observe Ramadan or simply want to learn more and connect with your neighbors, this gathering is open to everyone in our community.

 

Connect Reflect Celebrate

 

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new neighbors, build friendships, and experience the spirit of Ramadan in a welcoming and inclusive space.

 

All are welcome — bring a friend and come as you are!

 

We look forward to seeing our Brooklyn community come together for this special night.

Location

Brooklyn Islamic Center

715 Church Avenue

between E. 7th and E. 8th streets

Kensington, Brooklyn 

https://www.bicny.org/

 

MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS ARE ALL INVITED TO A MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY IFTAR TO BREAK FAST (FREE, OPEN TO ALL)

presents

Monday, March 16th, 6:30pm

Join us for a multicultural community Iftar in Kensington, Brooklyn! The event is in-person, free of charge and open to all.

RSVP HERE!

Update: sold out. ----------------------------------------  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kensington-community-iftar-2026-tickets-1983393529438   Ramadan Kareem! Break fast with your Muslim neighbors and celebrate and learn about Ramadan. Join friends and neighbors at P.S. 179 in Kensington, Brooklyn to taste food from around the world as Muslim artists share their work. The Iftar is co-sponsored with ArtBuilt, NOCD-NY, NIA Beacon @ PS 179, and New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif. Date: Monday, March 16, 6:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm. Location: PS 179, 202 Avenue C in Kensington, Brooklyn Please RSVP. It is very helpful for us to make sure we have enough food for everyone. Your info will not be shared. Schedule: 6:00pm - Doors open 6:30pm - Opening remarks 7:04pm - Dinner is served at sundown 7:30pm - Program with Muslim artists artwork: Sabrina Malik

This event is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the NYC Council and a grant from Brooklyn Org

JOIN A CREATIVE INCUBATOR FOR MUSLIM WOMEN AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE FOLK (FREE)

From Arts & Democracy:

The Mouth of the Sun: A creative writing incubator program focused on Muslim women and gender-expansive folk

Harness the power of your own stories and turn them outward to effect change.

Apply to join a talented cohort that will gather in Brooklyn this spring in a safe space to dig deep and write together over a weekend, guided by author and cultural organizer, Roohi Choudhry, a resident of Kensington, Brooklyn.

Over the summer, we’ll curate a public performance and discussion event focused on how to channel personal narrative into a movement. Along the way, you’ll receive one-on-one coaching and feedback.

 

Presented by Arts & Democracy. No fee to apply or participate. All levels of writing experience welcome.

 

Application deadline: March 1, 2026. 

Apply at bit.ly/mouthofthesun

MULTICULTURAL INTERFAITH COMMUNITY IFTAR IN KENSINGTON, FREE AND OPEN TO ALL

Kensington Community Iftar

Tuesday, March 18th

6:00 pm. to 8:30 p.m.

From Arts & Democracy:

Join us for a multicultural community Iftar in Kensington, Brooklyn! The event is in-person, free of charge and open to all.

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Ramadan Kareem! Break fast with your Muslim neighbors and celebrate and learn about Ramadan. Join friends and neighbors at PS 179 in Kensington, Brooklyn to taste food from around the world as Muslim artists share their work. Co-sponsored with ArtBuilt, NOCD-NY, NIA Beacon @ PS 179, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif Date: Tuesday March 18, 6:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm. Location: PS 179, 202 Avenue C in Kensington, Brooklyn Please RSVP. It is very helpful for us to make sure we have enough food for everyone. Your info will not be shared. Schedule: 6:00pm - Doors open 6:30pm - Opening remarks 7:06pm - Dinner is served at sundown 7:30pm - Program with Muslim artists artwork: Sabrina Malik

This event is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the NYC Council and Brooklyn Org

CELEBRATE EID WITH A MUSIC CONCERT BY JALIKUNDA (FREE)

Eid Celebration

Sunday, April 23rd, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jalikunda is Salieu Suso on Kora, Ebrima Jassey on Balafon, and Bah Bailo on Fula Flute.

 

Location

Kensington Plaza

114 Beverley Road

between McDonald Avenue and E. 2nd Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

BEVERLEY ROAD OPEN STREET: EID-UL-FITR AND EARTH DAY CELEBRATION (FREE)

 

 

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Free self-defense class with the Center for Anti-Violence Education. Learn tools to de-escalate. Register at Beverley Road Self-Defense Class Sign-Up (April 22nd).

CHAND RAAT FESTIVAL (FREE)

Chand Raat Festival

Thursday, April 20th, 6:00 p.m.

On the last night of Ramadan, Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts will present a free Chand Raat Festival outdoors. The festival, which is open to the public, will take place on Thursday, April 20th, at 6:00 p.m. 

 

The festival will feature melody & rhythm, henna art, and small vendors selling clothing and jewelry.

For additional information, call (917) 674-4746 or (347) 488-2835.

 

Location

Kensington Plaza

114 Beverley Road

between Church Avenue and E. 2nd Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

KENSINGTON COMMUNITY IFTAR, FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

                         

Kensington Community Iftar

Wednesday, March 29th

6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The annual Kensington Community Iftar to break the fast during Ramadan will be held on Wednesday, March 29th, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a rain date of Monday, April 3rd.

The multicultural, interfaith event is open to everyone and it is free. Neighbors will share a meal together to break the fast and to celebrate Muslim women artists. Artwork on invitation by Sabrina Malik.

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.

                                        Islamic Networks Group

Arts & Democracy will host the Iftar, with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, New York City District 39 Councilmember Shahana Hanif, ArtBuilt, and NOCD-NY (Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts) as co-sponsors.

Schedule

6:30 p.m.

Welcome

Hasiba Haq, Arts & Democracy

Remarks from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif

7:00 p.m.

Dinner is served. Meet your neighbors.

7:45 p.m.

Muslim-American artists share their work

The event is supported in part by public funds from the Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.

RSVP here so that the host will know how much food will be needed.

Location

Avenue C Plaza (map)

557 McDonald Avenue at Avenue C

Kensington, Brooklyn

VIDEO OF COMMUNITY IFTAR HAS BEEN POSTED ONLINE

 

 

Arts & Democracy presented its annual community iftar online this year. The free multicultural event was open to all Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Kensington.

 

The event featured Muslim-American artists (musicians, writers, and visual artists) and community organizers.

 

Iftar is the daily breaking of the fast after sunset during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. 

 

Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.

Ramadan Information Sheet 

https://ing.org/ramadan-information-sheet/

 

A video recording of the April 28th event is available at https://vimeo.com/545127121, and a description of the program is posted at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jCooVvfzJpN4HOyHvxgoVtxe7EF8FNir/view?usp=sharing.

 

FREE SCREENING OF "AMERICAN MUSLIM: A FILM ABOUT BEING MUSLIM IN THE AGE OF TRUMP"

"American Muslim: a Film about Being Muslim in the Age of Trump"

Tuesday, March 31st, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A free screening of the documentary film "American Muslim: a Film about Being Muslim in the Age of Trump" will be offered at the Kensington Library on Tuesday, March 31st, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The film's director/producer/cinematographer/editor, Adam Zucker, is expected to attend.

Shot in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, this film introduces the realities of five American Muslims—immigrants from five different countries who are now naturalized citizens—in the wake of the Muslim Ban in the United States. The ban went into effect through an executive order that suspended entry into the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Main characters Kobir, Aber, Mohamed, Debbie, and Imam allow director Adam Zucker into their homes, mosques, protests, and perspectives.

"American Muslim" exposes the impact the ban has had in Muslim communities, and it highlights how interfaith relationships have stood in solidarity.

Director's Statement

"I recognized that my Muslim neighbors were on the absolute front line in this new era of sanctioned bigotry. I felt it was truly urgent to capture what was happening in a documentary—my path was clearly laid out for me.

For the next year and a half, I followed the trajectory and pushback against the Muslim ban. At the same time, I became increasingly engaged in the lives and stories of Shamsi, Debbie, Mohamed, Aber and Kobir.

I continued filming until the Supreme Court decision about the ban in June, 2018."

Release date: July 22, 2019
Running time: 1 hour, 22 minutes
Not rated 

Location
Kensington Library
4207 18th Avenue
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
Kensington, Brooklyn
(718) 436-0545
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/kensington

"MUSLIMS IN BROOKLYN" - KENSINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD LISTENING PARTY

     "Muslims in Brooklyn" - Kensington Neighborhood Listening Party
                     Monday, March 18th, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
                                 (doors open at 3:30 p.m.)

From the Brooklyn Historical Society, organizer of "Muslims in Brooklyn" - Kensington Neighborhood Listening Party:

Join us in Kensington for a free oral history listening party.

For well over a century, Muslims have lived, worked, and prayed in Brooklyn, making it a major center of Muslim life for NYC and the nation. Led by Brooklyn Historical Society Oral Historian and Project Director Zaheer Ali and Project Coordinator Liz Strong, "Muslims in Brooklyn" preserves and celebrates histories of Muslims from all across the Borough.

Come hear stories from the Muslims in Brooklyn oral history collection that bring this history to life. The evening’s program will be engaging and interactive, so please come ready to listen, reflect, and join the discussion.

Register here. Your registration helps us to gauge attendance for this program, but please note that it does not guarantee seating. Seating at this program will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The doors will open at 3:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 4:00 p.m.

This event is hosted by The Brooklyn Public Library Culture Pass Community Programs.

The Muslims in Brooklyn project is made possible through the generous support of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program, the Ford Foundation, The New York Community Trust, the Nissan Foundation, the Pillars Fund, Pop Culture Collaborative, and New York City Council Members Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. and Brad Lander.

Brooklyn Historical Society public programs are made possible by the New York State Council of the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; and, in part, by public funds from the New York Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Event location
Kensington Library
4207 18th Avenue
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
Kensington, Brooklyn
(718) 436-0545
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/kensington
 

MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS INVITED TO CELEBRATE BREAKING THE RAMADAN FAST

Kensington Community Iftar

Monday, June 4th, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Kensington's Muslim and non-Muslim residents are invited to celebrate together as Muslims break that day's fast. The fast is observed daily during the entire holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a time of prayer and atonement. 

Taste food from Indonesia, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and other countries as Muslim writers and artists share their work. See the special appearance by Brooklyn Historical Society and its "Muslims in Brooklyn" project. 

Arts and Democracy is hosting a special Kensington Community Iftar for Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors on Monday, June 4th, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., to celebrate Ramadan. Iftar is the breaking of the fast every evening after sunset during Ramadan.

Brooklyn Historical society, the co-sponsor, will share information and work from its new multi-year public arts and oral history project, "Muslims in Brooklyn." The project documents the oral histories of various Muslims across the borough, including Kensington residents.

The evening will end with Muslim American writers sharing their work. 

The outdoor event is free and open to all. It will be held at Avenue C Plaza in Kensington, located at the intersection of McDonald Avenue and Avenue C.

RSVP by Friday, June 1st, to rsvp @ artsanddemocracy.org.

BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER THIS AFTERNOON

Bake Sale Fundraiser for Masjid Nur Al-Islam

Friday, April 13th, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

on the corner of Church and Chester avenues 

Kensington, Brooklyn

VIGIL AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA, IN WORDS AND PICTURES

The graffiti, painted over

For Immediate Release – February 8, 2012

From the office of Councilmember Brad Lander 

Kensington Community Condemns

Hate Crime at Vigil 

Muslim-owned business targeted with Anti-Muslim Vandalism,

Community Unites Against Hate

Residents of Brooklyn’s diverse Kensington neighborhood gathered today in response to recent anti-Muslim vandalism in the neighborhood. 

Mamun Ur Rashid, the owner of TDS Insurance on Church Avenue, discovered the Islamophobic vandalism on his store Monday morning and reported it to police.

“We do not want any religious conflict in Kensington,” said Mamun Ur Rashid, the owner of TDS Insurance.  “We respect people of all faiths and seek to live together in peace.”

“Hate has no place in our community,” said City Councilmember Brad Lander. “Kensington is one of Brooklyn’s most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods – with strong Jewish, Christian, and Muslim populations, with long-time and newer residents, including immigrants from Bangladesh and Latin America.”

Before the incident occurred, Councilmember Lander had begun exploring making the area– an expanded sidewalk area in front of TDS Insurance and neighboring stores at the intersection of Beverley Road and Church Avenue – into a new mini-plaza. This new community space would be created by and for the neighborhood’s diverse communities.

“This is the time for all of us, from the Islamic, Christian, and Jewish faiths, to become one and fight against people who want to hurt and divide us,” said Veronica Guzman, a leader in Kensington’s Latino community. “At end of the day, it doesn’t not matter where you came from, because when you turn the light off we all become one color and our heart beats the same way. We need to respect and love each other.”

“Being hateful towards any of us is being hateful towards all of us,” said Maggie Tobin of the West Kensington Action Group. “We will not tolerate or stand silently in the wake of this kind of ignorance. We Kensingtonians are moving towards a more peaceful and educated community; that we can learn to focus on our similarities and celebrate our differences.”

“An attack against any of our neighbors is an attack against all of us,” said Alan Dubrow, chairman of Community Board 12 and a Kensington resident. “Diversity is what makes this community and our country a great place to live in. We will not tolerate this type of behavior to permeate throughout our community.”