On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Sapna NYC along with community members, leaders, and advocates gathered for the 5th Annual Muslim Day at City Hall (MDCH). This event, spearheaded by Emgage, brought together a wide range of community-based organizations who work on issues impacting the Muslim community, including Black Muslims Now, Street Vendor Project, the Yemeni American Merchants Association, Muslim Community Network, Malikah, Sapna NYC, and more. The day began with a virtual briefing covering issues including immigrants rights, housing access, domestic violence, public safety, islamophobia, racial justice, and more, which was then followed by an in-person press conference outside City Hall. 

Throughout the event, speakers from these organizations addressed the systemic issues many Muslim New Yorkers endure, from language barriers to underfunded services to fear of law enforcement and immigration enforcement. Mohamed Attia, Managing Director of Street Vendor Project, called for more resources to support local organizations, saying, “We need investment, we need serious funding. All the CBO’s here are underfunded and overwhelmed with their work, which is desperately needed for our community…We want to see a city budget that funds the services that our people need.”

Speakers also discussed the deep mistrust that exists between many community members and public institutions. Gabriel Hernandez, a community organizer with the Yemeni American Merchant Association, claimed, “Fear is brought into our communities where we don’t feel trust towards our elected [officials], we don’t even know if we can access certain services without the fear of ICE, detainment, or deportation. It’s now more important than ever that we come together as a Muslim community and in solidarity with other communities.”

While there are now approximately 1 million Muslims in NYC, many Muslims still feel unseen or ignored by elected officials and feel that city policies don’t support them. Many of the organizations, also part of the Muslim Civic Table, signified that civic engagement is vital in leveraging the Muslims vote to demand better policies for our communities. Sapna NYC’s Executive Director, Diya Basu-Sen, reminded the crowd that “We are at a crossroads in NYC with the upcoming elections and it will be essential for all of us to not just vote, but to continue to hold whoever comes to power accountable.” The message was clear: voting is crucial to creating lasting change for marginalized communities. The powerful and hopeful atmosphere at MDCH reminds community members that by speaking up for your rights, staying engaged, and fostering alliances with other communities, they can help shape a more equitable New York City that supports all its diverse communities.