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New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani vowed to embrace his Muslim identity after Andrew Cuomo and others made what he called racist and baseless attacks, fueling a debate over Islamophobia in city politics.
Johran Mamdani (Credit: Facebook)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 25, 2025 04:44 IST
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Friday said he would more openly embrace his Muslim identity after a string of attacks from former Governor Andrew Cuomo and his allies that he called “racist and baseless.”
Standing outside a Bronx mosque, surrounded by imams and community leaders, the Democratic nominee grew emotional as he described how Muslim New Yorkers have lived with fear and humiliation since 9/11 — including his own relatives.
“My aunt stopped riding the subway after September 11 because she didn’t feel safe being seen in a headscarf,” Mamdani said, choking back tears. “These are lessons that so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught. And over these last few days, those lessons have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Eric Adams.”
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and one of the most progressive candidates to win the city’s Democratic primary, has long faced criticism for his views on Israel and Palestine. But in recent days, attacks from Cuomo’s camp and other rivals have drawn sharp rebukes from Democrats who accuse the former governor of leaning into Islamophobia, according to the Associated Press.
‘No More’: Mamdani’s Emotional Rebuttal
Mamdani said his response was directed not at political rivals, but to fellow Muslims who feel alienated.
“The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker,” he said. “For too long we’ve been told to ask for less and be satisfied with whatever little we receive. No more.” He said he had deliberately downplayed his faith early in the campaign, a decision he now regrets.
“I thought if I behaved well enough, or bit my tongue enough, I’d be seen as more than just my faith,” Mamdani said. “I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough.”
“I will not change who I am or how I eat for the faith I’m proud to call my own,” he continued. “I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light.”
‘Racist and Baseless’: The Escalation
Appearing on a conservative radio show Thursday, Cuomo laughed as host Sid Rosenberg suggested Mamdani would “be cheering” another 9/11 attack. “That’s another problem,” Cuomo replied.
Soon after, a Cuomo campaign account posted and then deleted a video showing Mamdani eating rice with his hands while labeling his supporters criminals. A spokesperson later claimed it was posted in error.
At a separate event, Mayor Eric Adams, appearing alongside Cuomo, warned that New York can’t be Europe, and implied — without elaboration — that the city could face greater risk of terror attacks under Mamdani.
Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa falsely described Mamdani as a supporter of global jihad during a recent debate. Asked Friday about the remarks, Cuomo told reporters Mamdani was playing the victim and dismissed allegations of Islamophobia.
“Don’t tell me New Yorkers are Islamophobic. They’re not,” Cuomo said. “What he is doing is the oldest, dirtiest political trick in the book: divide people.”
Political Crosscurrents
Mamdani’s surge in the polls has shaken New York’s Democratic establishment. On Friday, he received the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a major boost for his campaign.
Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, has used his political comeback effort to portray Mamdani as divisive and dangerous. He said Mamdani’s criticism of Israel had “made Jewish people afraid to leave their homes.”
- Ends
With inputs from Associated Press
Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Oct 25, 2025
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