"I Will Not Hide Anymore"... Muslim New York Mayor Candidate Mamdani Embraces His Identity

SadaNews - Zahran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City, pledged on Friday - Saturday to continue expressing his Islamic identity in response to the increasing attacks launched by former Governor Andrew Cuomo and his agents, which he described as "racist and baseless."

Mamdani, surrounded by religious leaders outside a mosque in the Bronx, spoke emotionally about the "insults" that Muslim residents of the city have long faced, holding back tears as he described his aunt's decision not to take the subway after the September 11 attacks because she did not feel safe wearing her hijab.

He recounted how when he first entered the political arena, his uncle kindly suggested he keep his faith to himself.

Mamdani said, "These are lessons that many Muslims in New York have learned. And in the past few days, these lessons have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Eric Adams."

In a press conference held later on Friday evening, Cuomo accused Mamdani of "playing the victim" for political purposes and denied the existence of widespread Islamophobia in New York.

Throughout the election campaign, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, faced criticism from Cuomo and others for his criticism of the Israeli government, which he accused of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

However, the tone of these attacks has escalated in recent days, prompting accusations from some Democrats that Cuomo's campaign leans towards Islamophobia in the final stages of the race.

In his speech on Friday, Mamdani stated that he was not directing his comments at his political opponents, but to his fellow Muslim New Yorkers. He said, "Every Muslim's dream is simply to be treated like any other New Yorker. Yet, we have long been asked to ask for less, to be content with the little we receive."

For this purpose, Mamdani said he would embrace his Islamic identity more, a decision he had deliberately avoided at the start of his campaign.

He added, "I thought that if I behaved well, or stayed silent in the face of baseless racist attacks, returning to my core message, it would allow me to be more than just my faith. I was wrong. No matter how much change there is, it will never be enough."

He continued, "I will not change who I am, or how I eat, or my faith that I am proud to belong to. But there is one thing I will change. I will not seek my identity in the shadows any longer. I will find myself in the light."

Mamdani, who achieved a landslide victory in the primary elections, has faced skepticism from some members of the Democratic establishment, particularly regarding his criticism of Israel. On Friday, Mamdani received the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Cuomo appeared on a conservative radio station on Thursday and seemed to laugh at host Sid Rosenberg's suggestion that Mamdani would "encourage" another 9/11-like attack. Cuomo replied, "That's another issue."

Cuomo's social media account posted and then deleted a video showing Mamdani eating rice with his hands, referring to his supporters as criminals. A campaign spokesperson stated that the video was posted by mistake. At an event to support the former governor, Mayor Eric Adams raised the possibility of terrorist attacks in New York City, insinuating - without any explanation - that the likelihood of such attacks would be greater under a Mamdani administration.