DeBlasio Distributing Halal Meals for Ramadan After Threatening to Shut Down Churches and Synagogues

Just a few weeks ago the Mayor of NYC Bill DeBlasio began his grandstanding coronavirus press briefings. Amidst these briefings, he made veiled threats to both Christian and Jewish religious institutions. These threats included both fines and the possible shutdown of churches and synagogues that didn’t comply with the shutdown orders. At the same time, DeBlasio intends to provide Muslims throughout the city with meals for Ramadan.

DeBlasio to Distribute 500,000 Meals for Ramadan

Fast forward to the start of Ramadan which began on April 23rd and we are watching as the mayor of NYC is set to distribute half of a million meals to Muslims throughout NYC. According to Bloomberg, these meals will be distributed from 32 Department of Education buildings and other community organizations during Ramadan.

“One of Ramadan’s most noble callings is to feed the hungry,” de Blasio said Thursday during a press briefing. “To remember to be there for those in need. And that is now harder than ever now that people can’t go to their mosques.”

As Muslim New Yorkers prepare to start the holy month of Ramadan tonight, Mayor Bill de Blasio says the city is taking steps to support the Muslim community with Halal food programs.

“Over half a million meals will be distributed during Ramadan” for Muslim New Yorkers in need pic.twitter.com/d4PbFtGMa5

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 23, 2020

Preferential Treatment for Muslims

DeBlasio went on to speak about how profoundly important the holiday of Ramadan is. He explained how Islam is one of our most important faiths. It’s too bad he didn’t take the same approach to Christianity during the Easter season and Judaism during the Passover holiday. He remained persistent threatening the possible shutdown of churches.

https://twitter.com/matthewschmitz/status/1244339404753289216?s=20

This isn’t the only instance in which preferential treatment was given to Muslims in New York. Amidst the veiled threats to shut down religious institutions that didn’t comply with the shutdown order, religious services continued at a mosque in Syracuse. This was taking place despite the statewide ban on all “non-essential gatherings”.

Consistency Rather than Hypocricy

The approach to dealing with religious gatherings is clearly not being carried out in a logical consistent manner. We watched as DeBlasio threatened Christian churches while at the same time offering free meals to Muslims during Ramadan.

Not to mention the fact that these “free” meals are likely being paid for by the taxpayers in a city strapped for money. Nonetheless, there needs to be a sensible approach to this matter without giving preferential treatment to one specific group of people.