Democratic frontrunner embraces his Muslim identity in final campaign days, rejecting pressure to downplay faith amid growing anti-Muslim rhetoric.
NEW YORK: As New York City’s mayoral election heads into its final stretch, Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has transformed a wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric into a defining moment of courage and authenticity, declaring that he refuses to hide or apologize for his faith.
Facing what he described as “extraordinary” levels of crude bigotry during the campaign, Mamdani delivered a powerful speech earlier this week that has drawn widespread attention for its message of identity, inclusion, and resilience.
“In the last 11 days of this campaign, and every day after that, I will be a Muslim man in New York,” Mamdani told supporters. “I will not change who I am. I will not change how I eat. I will not change the faith that I am proud to belong to.”
The 34-year-old lawmaker, who could become the city’s first Muslim mayor, has been advised by some within his circle to focus solely on affordability and housing — the issues that propelled his grassroots rise. But he rejected that conventional approach, choosing instead to address what he called “the right to live fully and openly as a Muslim in America.”
Rejecting the Shadows
In his speech, Mamdani reflected on how many Muslims in the West grow up believing that their faith must remain confined to private life — something to be hidden rather than expressed.
“For too long, Muslims have been taught that to be accepted, we must leave our faith in the shadows,” he said. “But we belong in every space — in politics, in public service, and in the heart of this city — as our full selves.”
He went on to say that his campaign was not only about rent, transit, or education, but also about representation and dignity. “It’s about being seen — being recognized as New Yorkers, as Americans, and as Muslims — without apology,” Mamdani said.
A Defining Moment in New York Politics
The remarks have resonated deeply with Muslim communities across the city and beyond, many of whom view Mamdani’s candidacy as a historic turning point. His words have also sparked broader conversations about identity and belonging in a city celebrated for its diversity but still grappling with prejudice.
Mamdani’s message comes amid rising Islamophobia across the United States, where hate crimes against Muslims have surged in the wake of global conflicts. He has repeatedly said that his response to hate is not silence, but visibility.
“I want young Muslims growing up in New York to know they can bring the fullness of who they are into every part of their lives,” he said. “That they never have to hide who they are to be accepted.”
From Activist to Frontrunner
Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 to Indian-origin parents, Mamdani moved to New York at the age of seven. His mother, Mira Nair, is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor at Columbia University.
Elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, Mamdani represents Queens’ 36th District. He identifies as a democratic socialist and has built his campaign on progressive policies such as rent freezes, free public buses, and affordable childcare.
He has also been a vocal supporter of Palestine and critic of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East — positions that have made him a target of conservative attacks but have also bolstered his image as an unflinching, principled politician.
As the November 4 vote approaches, polls show Mamdani leading with 43% support, ahead of independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani promotes progressive policies aimed at reducing the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers. His proposals include rent freezes, free public buses, and expanded affordable housing and childcare.
A vocal critic of the Trump administration, Mamdani has pledged to “be there to fight him” if the president “comes after” New York — a reference to Trump’s decision to deploy federal troops in Democratic-run cities.
Mamdani is widely recognized for his support of Palestine and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Following the cease-fire, he said:
“We must work towards a future built upon justice, one without occupation and apartheid, and for a world where every person can live with safety and dignity.”
He co-founded a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine during his college years and joined a hunger strike outside the White House in 2023, demanding a cease-fire.
Mamdani has faced criticism for defending the phrase “globalize the intifada” and for supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. He denies accusations of antisemitism and has said that he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — wanted by the International Criminal Court — if he entered New York.
As Mamdani’s message of faith and inclusion reshapes the race, independent contender Andrew Cuomo focuses on public safety, while Republican Curtis Sliwa campaigns on law and order.
independent contender Andrew M. Cuomo
Former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. He served as the state’s 56th governor for more than a decade before resigning in 2021 following multiple sexual harassment allegations.
Background
The 67-year-old son of the late Governor Mario Cuomo was raised in Queens and studied at Fordham University and Albany Law School. His career includes serving as a Manhattan assistant district attorney and later as US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Bill Clinton.
Political Campaign and Views
Cuomo’s campaign revolves around his Safe New York City agenda, emphasizing public safety and crime prevention. He proposes adding 5,000 new officers to the NYPD and enhancing security in the subway system.
Pro-Israel Stance and Islamophobia Allegations
A strong supporter of Israel, Cuomo has drawn backing from pro-Israel voters. In 2024, he joined a legal team defending Netanyahu against the ICC arrest warrant.
His campaign, however, has faced accusations of Islamophobia and racism. During a recent radio interview, Cuomo laughed at a host’s comment suggesting Mamdani would celebrate another “9/11.” Mamdani’s team also accused his political action committee (PAC) of “blatant Islamophobia” after it darkened his beard in an edited photo.
In another controversy, Cuomo’s account briefly posted an AI-generated video mocking Mamdani’s South Asian heritage, later deleted as a “technical error.”
Curtis Sliwa: Republican Candidate
Trailing behind Mamdani and Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa remains adamant about continuing his campaign. This is his second bid for mayor, following his 2021 run as the GOP nominee.
Background and Early Life
Sliwa, 71, is a well-known media personality, radio host, and founder of the Guardian Angels — a nonprofit crime-prevention group he established in 1979 in response to rising crime in New York. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, attorney Nancy Sliwa.
Political Views and Campaign
Sliwa’s campaign emphasizes public safety, affordability, homelessness, and mental health. Drawing on his Guardian Angels experience, he advocates for more police officers and stronger community-based crime prevention.
Pro-Israel and Islamophobia Allegations
A vocal supporter of Israel, Sliwa participates in the city’s annual Israel Day Parade. During the final mayoral debate, he attacked Mamdani’s pro-Palestine stance, accusing him of supporting “global jihad.” He also claimed that Mamdani “has no love in his heart for the State of Israel and for Israelis.”
