Rosy Islam, a 35-year-old mom of three girls, has been planning playdates for the last seven years for over 60 Muslim families.

The participating moms met once a month at various locations including parks, restaurants, and coffee shops around Queens and Long Island.

After the Israeli bombardment of Gaza that began last October, which was fueled by a Hamas terror attack and which has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, anti-Muslim hate crimes began to rise. Islam felt an urge to be surrounded by fellow Muslims. Her children were struggling to process the war and what felt to them like rising Islamophobia everywhere.

Just a few days after the war began, another student ripped her daughters hijab off at school. Islam noticed her daughters bubbly personality shut down.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and water in order to achieve a greater understanding of God, learn self-discipline and empathy. After fasting, many join friends and family over iftar, or meal at the breaking of the fast usually a spread that is lavish and filling. But with the threat of starvation and famine looming over Gazans, some Muslim Americans say those reports have been weighing on them heavily.

Some said they swapped out large iftar dinners for smaller, more intimate gatherings. Others said theyve been seeking solace in the faith through increased prayer and through scripture. Many in the community said theyve been more intentional about seeking one another in attempts to find solace within each others presence and businesses.

In New York, Islam decided to change the location of her kids group playdates to Muslim and Palestinian-owned businesses, as a way of supporting them and surrounding her children with Muslim peers. With Ramadan in full swing, Islam said theres never been a better time to break fast and perform night prayers with family and friends.

Through tragedy, people come together, she said.

Arman Khwaja and Shahed Amanullah, the owners of Zabihah, a halal food guide and delivery app, said they have seen an increase in Muslims across the country flocking to Muslim businesses, particularly restaurants.