NEW YORK: A day before early voting begins in what could be a historic mayoral race, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani delivered an impassioned speech condemning the “racist and baseless attacks” directed at him during the campaign.
Speaking outside a Bronx mosque on Friday, Mamdani — the Democratic nominee and current New York State Assembly member — directly addressed the wave of Islamophobia that has marked the final stretch of the election. “To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity,” Mamdani said, “but indignity does not make us distinct. There are many New Yorkers who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.”
He accused his political opponents of “bringing hatred to the forefront” instead of focusing on issues affecting millions of New Yorkers. “I’ve tried to make this campaign about affordability, about working families, and about justice,” he said. “But my opponents have shown that Islamophobia is one of the few areas of agreement between them.”
Controversy Over Cuomo’s Remarks
Mamdani’s comments came a day after former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, one of his main opponents, appeared on a radio show where the host, Sid Rosenberg, suggested that Mamdani “would be cheering” if another 9/11 attack occurred. Cuomo responded by laughing and saying, “That’s another problem.”
The exchange sparked widespread condemnation. Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Muslim advocacy group CAIR Action, called Cuomo’s remarks “despicable, dangerous, and disqualifying.” He added, “By agreeing with a racist radio host who implied that a Muslim official would cheer another 9/11, Cuomo has crossed a moral line. His willingness to participate in hate speech shows the kind of leader he really is — someone who would rather stoke fear than bring people together.”
Mamdani also cited attacks from Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who accused him during a debate of supporting “global jihad.” He described how his campaign had been targeted by political action committees (PACs) that portrayed him as a terrorist or mocked his cultural identity, including his manner of eating.
Personal Stories of Prejudice
In his speech, Mamdani shared deeply personal stories reflecting the lived reality of Islamophobia in New York. He recalled his aunt who stopped taking the subway after the September 11 attacks because she felt unsafe wearing her hijab, and a staff member whose garage was vandalized with the word “terrorist.”
He also revealed that early in his political career, he was advised not to mention that he was Muslim if he wanted to win elections. “I was told that my faith would be a liability,” he said. “But my faith is not a liability — it is a source of strength, of compassion, and of service.”
Key Endorsements Boost Mamdani’s Momentum
Despite the escalating smear campaign, Mamdani’s candidacy has continued to gain momentum. On Friday, he received a high-profile endorsement from Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jeffries’ backing comes on top of endorsements from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Bernie Sanders.
While Mamdani enjoys strong support from progressive Democrats, some establishment figures, including Senator Chuck Schumer, have remained hesitant to align with him, largely due to his outspoken support for Palestinian rights.
Polls Show Mamdani in the Lead
According to a recent AARP–Gotham Polling and Analytics survey, Mamdani leads the race with 43.2% of voter support. Cuomo trails behind at 28.9%, followed by Sliwa at 19.4%, while 8.4% remain undecided.
The same poll shows that cost of living is the top concern for nearly two-thirds of voters, followed by public safety and housing affordability.
Current mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the race amid corruption allegations, has endorsed Cuomo, though his name will still appear on the ballot.
As early voting begins, Mamdani’s message remains one of resilience and inclusivity. “They may attack my faith,” he said, “but they will never silence my fight for a city that belongs to all of us.”
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