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Zohran MamdaniThe democratic The New York City mayoral nominee on Friday pledged to continue to embrace Muslim Identification in response to increasing attacks by the former governor. Andrew Cuomo And his surrogates he described as “racist and baseless”.
Surrounded by faith leaders outside a Bronx mosque, Mamdani spoke in emotional terms about the “disgrace” long endured by the city’s Muslim population, and tearfully described her aunt’s decision not to ride the subway after the September 11 attacks because she did not feel safe being seen wearing a religious head covering.
He recounted how, when he first entered politics, an uncle gently suggested he keep his faith to himself.
“These are lessons that have been taught to many Muslim New Yorkers,” Mamdani said. “And over these past few days, these texts have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and eric adams,
Throughout the race, Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and staunch critic of Israel, has been accused by Cuomo of having radical beliefs, as have others.
But those attacks have escalated in recent days, leading some Democrats to charge that Cuomo’s campaign is leaning toward Islamophobia in the final stages of the campaign.
Appearing on a conservative radio station on Thursday, Cuomo appeared to laugh at the host’s suggestion that Mamdani would “cheer” for another 9/11 attack. Cuomo replied, “That’s another problem.”
A few hours later, at an event supporting the former governor, Mayor Eric Adams invoked the possibility of terrorist attacks in New York City, seemingly implying that – without any explanation – they would be more likely under the Mamdani administration.
“New York can’t be Europe. I don’t know what’s wrong with people,” said Adams, standing with Cuomo. “You look at what is happening in other countries because of Islamic extremism.”
In a debate earlier this week, Republican candidate Sliwa falsely accused Mamdani as a supporter of “global jihad”.
Messages left with Adams and Sliwa’s campaign were not immediately returned. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said the former governor did not agree with the radio host’s comments.
While Mamdani pointed to the recent attacks on Friday, he aimed his speech at his fellow Muslim New Yorkers.
“The dream of every Muslim is just to be treated like any other New Yorker,” he said. “And yet for too long we have been told to ask for less and to be content with what little we get.”
“Not anymore,” he said.
To that end, Mamdani said he would further embrace his Muslim identity, a decision he said he had deliberately avoided at the beginning of his campaign.
Mamdani said, “I thought that if I behaved well enough while returning to my central message, or bit my tongue a bit in the face of racist, baseless attacks, it would allow me to be more than just my faith.” “I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough.”
He added: “I wouldn’t change who I am, how I eat, for the faith I’m proud to call mine. But there’s one thing I would change. I would no longer find myself in the shadows. I would find myself in the light.”
Mamdani, who won the primary in landslide fashion, has faced skepticism from some in the Democratic establishment, particularly over his criticism of Israel, which he accuses of carrying out genocide in Gaza. On Friday, Mamdani received the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.