Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor was historic – Mamdani is on the cusp of becoming the first Muslim mayor in the city's history. His faith is also proving to be a source of controversy.
A democratic socialist who identifies as a “proud Muslim,” Mamdani says that his faith is a foundational part of his personal and political identity, even as his progressive values sometimes put him at odds with conservative Muslim hardliners.
Despite riding a wave of popularity into a stunning upset of Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani's religious beliefs have helped make him a lightning rod of controversy. Detractors say his faith puts him at odds with the city’s values. Some argue electing a Muslim is itself anti-American.
Faith Under Attack
At one point on the campaign trail, Mamdani delivered an emotional account of the abuse he’s received simply for being open about his Muslim faith.
"I get messages that say the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim," he explained, his voice audibly shaking as he held back tears. "I get threats on my life, on the people that I love."
The anti-Islamic insults haven’t let up, and they’re coming from both sides of the aisle.
Mamdani has faced a barrage of xenophobic criticisms from prominent politicians and pundits, calling him everything from a “jihadist terrorist” to the second coming of 9/11. Some have even suggested he be deported.
A Familiar Backlash
“The fear-mongering is insane,” stated pro-Muslim activist and Mamdani supporter Asad Dandia. “I think the community and our leadership know that we’re on the radar now.” Some Muslims say the current climate feels eerily like the aftermath of 9/11, with a resurgence of paranoia, scapegoating, and public suspicion.
As Dandia puts it, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Corey Saylor, advocacy director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), echoed the concern. “Many of the trends we are seeing mirror common Islamophobic content – Muslims as other and as a threat,” explained Saylor.
CAIR described the volume of Islamophobic attacks against Mamdani as “noteworthy,” warning that it could snowball into a larger cultural flashpoint, much like the controversy over an Islamic center near Ground Zero.
Community Resilience
Despite the vitriol, Mamdani and the broader Muslim community are standing firm.
“We feel more confident in our community’s voice and our institutional power and in the support that we will have from allies,” said Dandia. “Yes, we’re dealing with this Islamophobic backlash, but I don’t want to make it seem like we’re just victims because we are able to now fight back.”
Mamdani agrees, but is hopeful for more than just survival. “I’ve spoken to many Muslims across this city who have shared that their fear of having to be essentially branded a terrorist just by living in public life is one that keeps them preferring life in the shadows, life outside of that specter,” he explained.
“And this is not the way that we can have our city be. It’s not the way that we can have our country be.”
What is your reaction?
8 comments
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Chris
Of course he is. Bigots gonna be bigots no matter what.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
It amazes me the fear that the hard right has about people who are not like them! They hate those with differing “religious” beliefs, They sure hate non-white human beings, the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Drag queens and transgender human beings. The list goes on! Pretty sure they hate Lauren Boebert and MTG. Sure, they’re white, cis het christian nationalists, but they’re female and not makin’ babies like they should be.
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Sandra A Rasmussen
I always thought that leaders of our country were supposed to be born in the USA not born anywhere else- It’s true we’re a melting pot of different races of people from different worlds and there’s nothing matter with that, but it would make more sense that the ones that were born and raised here, lead our nation, and that one with terrorist roots That would be like me moving to Russia and running for president there, even though I have no background of socialism Our forefathers are most likely rolling around in their graves right now
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
Congratulations Mayor Mamdani! Stand strong!!!
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Reverend Paula Copp
They didn’t want Kennedy to be president because he was Catholic, and they thought he’d be beholden to the Pope. It was a bonkers notion then, and it’s bonkers now.
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tuppennyblue
I almost gave that a thumbs up, until I read it again and realised it said 'notion', not 'nation'!
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Mamdani , in public discourse , should emphasize his broader program and not get stuck in identity politics : rents , curtailing supermarket big businesses , Medicare-for-All . This is what all working people need. Hope he wins , hope he stays focused.
Medicare for all is not good. We pay 80% of bill. It does cover some things but not preventative. Even some cancer testing. They won't cover it unless your stage 4 (well how do you know you are). Hence why ppl buy a supplemental insurance. Do you pay $500/month for health care? Oh don't forget you better have a part D or you are delinquent. That's another $500/yr. Medicaid is for low income families. Long term medicaid for aged, blind and disabled is only if you have nothing. You cannot have a life insurance policy, stocks, bonds, pension 🤷♀️ income over 1,000 or asset over 4k that includes your vehicle.