New York City Muslims yesterday watched President Obama address the Islamic world with overwhelming pride in his acceptance of a religion they feel has been vilified by Americans.

"There were certain things that he said, that Islam is part of the American story. I don't know if I wanted to stand up or cry, because, for me, that just hit home," said Faiza Ali, a 24-year-old Brooklyn-born Muslim of Pakistani descent. "I was so touched."

Zead Ramadan, 42, of The Bronx, added, "I'm proud to be a Muslim-American -- and especially hearing my president give the speech today made me feel more proud of being so."

Ali, the community-affairs director of the city's chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, viewed the president's Middle East speech with 13 other New York Muslims.

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