JNN 03 Sep 2011 : New York police have been accused of using excessive force against Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Press TVreported.

Muslim civil rights leaders have accused authorities of using excessive force in the police violence against Muslims at the Rye Playland Amusement Park.

Violence broke out after Muslim women with Hijab who were denied permission to get on rides at the Westchester County Park, questioned park officials. The state police were then called.

Patrons say they were arguing with park officials over the facility’s no-headgear policy when things got out of control.

“Another officer started punching me in my face, and the whole time they were punching me, I was telling them to arrest me. I was not resisting arrest at all,” arrested Kareem Meawad said.

A total of 15 people were arrested –mostly on charges of disorderly conduct.

Park officials claim that some rides have a no-headgear of any kind policy, meaning that even baseball caps are not permitted.

The incident took place just after 1 p.m. local time during an event organized by the Muslim American Society of New York, which attracted 3,000 Muslims from Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Westchester County.

The no-headgear policy was put into effect after three deaths occurred at the park between 2004 and 2007. Muslims believe they are victims of discrimination as officials say clothing did not play a role in the three deaths at the amusement park.