Zohran Mamdani Embraces Muslim Identity Amid Rising Islamophobic Attacks in NYC Mayoral Race

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani delivered a powerful address about Islamophobia in the Bronx on October 24.

New York:

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, made a heartfelt commitment on Friday to embrace his Muslim identity more openly in response to what he described as "racist and baseless" attacks from former Governor Andrew Cuomo and his supporters.

Speaking outside a Bronx mosque surrounded by faith leaders, Mamdani emotionally addressed the "indignities" that New York's Muslim community has endured. He became visibly moved while sharing how his aunt avoided taking the subway following the September 11 attacks, fearing for her safety while wearing her religious head covering.

Mamdani recalled how when beginning his political career, an uncle suggested he keep his faith private.

"These are lessons that so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught," Mamdani stated. "And over these last few days, these lessons have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and Eric Adams."

Throughout the campaign, Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and vocal Israel critic, has faced accusations of radical beliefs from Cuomo and others.

These attacks have intensified recently, with some Democrats alleging that Cuomo's campaign is exploiting Islamophobia in the final stages of the race.

On Thursday during a conservative radio program, Cuomo appeared to laugh at the host's suggestion that Mamdani would "be cheering" another 9/11 attack, responding with "That's another problem."

Later that day, at an event endorsing the former governor, Mayor Eric Adams raised concerns about potential terrorist attacks in New York City, implying without clear evidence that they would be more likely under Mamdani's leadership.

"New York can't be Europe. I don't know what is wrong with people," Adams remarked while standing with Cuomo. "You see what's playing out in other countries because of Islamic extremism."

During a debate earlier in the week, Republican candidate Sliwa falsely characterized Mamdani as supporting "global jihad."

Requests for comment from Adams' and Sliwa's campaigns were not immediately answered. Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, stated that the former governor disagreed with the radio host's comments.

While acknowledging these recent attacks, Mamdani directed his speech primarily to fellow Muslim New Yorkers.

"The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker," he expressed. "And yet for too long we have been told to ask for less than that, and to be satisfied with whatever little we receive."

"No more," he declared.

Mamdani announced he would further embrace his Muslim identity, acknowledging he had initially avoided doing so in his campaign.

"I thought that if I behaved well enough, or bit my tongue enough in the face of racist, baseless attacks, all while returning back to my central message, it would allow me to be more than just my faith," Mamdani admitted. "I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough."

He added: "I will not change who I am, how I eat, for the faith that I'm proud to call my own. But there is one thing that I will change. I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light."

Despite winning the primary in a surprising victory, Mamdani has faced skepticism from parts of the Democratic establishment, particularly regarding his criticism of Israel, which he has accused of committing genocide in Gaza. On Friday, Mamdani received the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.