Adi Magazine – By Rouhi Choudhry and Herikita | Published July 10, 2025

[A narrative essay exploring the writer finding community post the 2016 presidential election]

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“Right before 2016, I felt attached to the open and public space conversation—trying to help shape this plaza that sits across from the mosque. I felt really compelled by the mission to make the space a place for women to gather, to roam, to be, to meet their friends, and for young girls to have additional room to play… The plaza has helped shape culture and community solidarity in ways that I couldn’t have projected. It has made the community feel comfortable to gather at some of the hardest moments of political life in our city and state. When Trump got elected, people gathered here. At moments of community struggle and resistance, the plaza was where there was a clear demonstration of ‘we must not be divided’.”

—Shahana Hanif, New York City Council Member for District 39

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[See full article here]