Zohran Mamdani Defends Muslim Identity Amidst Controversial Mayoral Race Attacks

Wed Oct 29 2025 00:08:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani vows to embrace his Muslim identity in the face of racism and Islamophobia, as tensions rise in the political landscape against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent attacks.

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has publicly committed to embracing his Muslim identity following a series of racially charged attacks from his political opponents. Speaking from a Bronx mosque, Mamdani expressed emotional reflections on the struggles faced by Muslim communities in New York and criticized the racist undertones of the current campaign against him, particularly from former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Despite facing backlash and allegations of Islamophobia, Mamdani has asserted his commitment to advocate for equality and representation for Muslim New Yorkers.

NEW YORK - Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, pledged Friday to further embrace his Muslim identity in response to growing attacks by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which he described as racist and baseless.

Joined by faith leaders outside a Bronx mosque, Mamdani spoke candidly about the longstanding indignities faced by Muslim residents in the city, sharing personal anecdotes that highlighted the impact of prejudice. He recounted how his aunt chose not to ride the subway post-9/11 due to fears for her safety while wearing her religious head covering.

Cuomo's campaign, known for targeting Mamdani's outspoken criticisms of Israel, has intensified, reflecting a troubling trend blamed on political opportunism. Mamdani stated, These lessons are the messages echoed by Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Eric Adams in the race's final stretch.

In a news conference, Cuomo accused Mamdani of playing the victim and dismissed the notion of widespread Islamophobia in New York. The tension reached a peak on Thursday when Cuomo participated in a radio show, where he appeared to jokingly entertain a suggestion regarding Mamdani and 9/11.

The negative tone of the campaign has raised eyebrows among Democratic allies who argue that Cuomo is resorting to Islamophobic rhetoric to gain an edge. This sentiment was emphasized by Mamdani's assertion that the dream of every Muslim is to be treated as any New Yorker.

I thought that if I behaved well and ignored the toxic rhetoric, it would be enough, Mamdani reflected, expressing remorse for prior attempts to downplay his faith. I was wrong. I will no longer hide; I will find myself in the light, he stated, affirming a renewed commitment to his identity.

Following a remarkable primary win, Mamdani has garnered support from various political figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, further solidifying his rank within the race. As tensions grow in the mayoral race, the calls for equality and representation among Muslim New Yorkers remain a central theme of his campaign.