Mamdani Cites the Quran and the Prophetic Migration to Defend Immigrants' Rights in America

SadaNews - As the debate around immigration policies in the United States intensifies, New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani has stepped forward to defend an executive order that limits the arrests by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, drawing inspiration from the values of the Prophet's biography in crafting his message about protecting immigrants.

Mamdani emphasized that the story of migration inherently reminds us that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was also a stranger when he had to leave Mecca and was welcomed in Medina.

He added that this narrative serves as a moral compass for contemporary policies, urging authorities to prioritize human well-being over formal procedures.

Mamdani cited a verse from Surah An-Nahl: {And those who emigrated for Allah after being wronged, we will surely settle them in this world in a good way}.

He concluded his speech with a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange as it began, so blessed are the strangers."

Mamdani pointed out that these values could translate into tangible policies that provide protection and inclusion for strangers and immigrants, affirming: "Let us establish a new expectation for the role of the municipality, where power is exercised with love, inclusion, and protection."

The Mayor of New York accused the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency of spreading "fear" among immigrants and committing practices he described as "harsh and conscience-shaking."

Mamdani stated, during the first annual interfaith iftar organized by the New York City government at the public library with the attendance of around 400 religious and community leaders, that federal immigration officers "are pulling people from their cars, brandishing weapons at the unarmed, and brutally tearing families apart."

Mamdani described federal immigration policies as "a direct assault on human and religious values," asserting that the actions of immigration police do not serve justice nor protect the community, but rather instill fear.

A video of Mamdani, in which he urged U.S. authorities to take the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as an example in their immigration policies, gained widespread attention on social media, generating significant interaction from observers and commenters.

Tweeting users believed that the Mayor's use of this discourse aims to break stereotypes and address the human conscience through the lens of shared religious history.

Commentators noted that this is the first time in New York's history that a mayor publicly cites a verse from the Holy Quran and a prophetic saying: "Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange as it began," in front of city residents, recalling the prophetic migration and Islamic values of justice and mercy towards strangers.

Bloggers described Mamdani's character as impressive, especially in light of the overt and blatant rise of anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiments.

They pointed out that it is not easy for a Muslim individual to reach such a position and to highlight his Islamic reference explicitly.

Others felt that Mamdani's speech could open a broader discussion about immigration policies in the United States, particularly in a multicultural and multi-religious city like New York.

Others affirmed that Mamdani's stance could enhance trust between the Muslim community and local authorities, sending a message that political positions can be exercised while maintaining religious identity and human values, which represents a rare model at the American level.

Since January 7, cities across America have been witnessing widespread protests against the deadly violence employed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in its campaign against immigrants, which resulted in the deaths of two citizens in Minneapolis.

Since the assumption of office by U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2025, thousands of federal agents, including those armed and often masked, have been carrying out raids in American cities to arrest undocumented immigrants.