Madonna - Madonna celebrates Yom Kippur in New York

Madonna celebrates Yom Kippur in New York

Madonna celebrated Yom Kippur in New York City on Tuesday (25.09.12).

The 'Celebration' singer is a devotee of Jewish offshoot Kabbalah and joined with other followers of the religion to celebrate the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the calendar for Jewish people.

Madonna, 54, arrived at the city's Park Avenue Armory wearing a bright purple sweat suit with the number 86 on them and a hat with the word 'Vogue' written on it.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: ''Madonna was the last to arrive, and it seemed like they were holding up the ceremony to wait for her.

''She came through a back entrance with her daughter, Lourdes, and was seated in the front row. Once she was seated, it could begin. All the men were in white but Madonna had a loud track suit on. Also there was her younger boyfriend [Brahim Zaibat], who arrived wearing cream.''

While her entrance may have caused a stir, the 'Hung Up' singer certainly focused during the service, and appeared oblivious to those around her, including fashion designer Donna Karan, who was seated nearby.

The witness added: ''[Madonna] definitely set herself apart from everyone else. She is like the queen of Kabbalah.''

A statement on the Kabbalah website explains the religious day's significance, saying ''[During] Yom Kippur, we sit on the throne with Binah and remove the fog in our lives for the entire year to come.''

Earlier this week, Madonna was forced to clarify comments she made at a concert on Monday (24.09.12) in Washington, where she referred to the US president as a ''black Muslim,'' despite him being openly Christian.

Madonna said she was ''being ironic,'' adding: ''Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim, though I know that plenty of people in this country think he is.''