Zohran Mamdani Embraces Muslim Identity Amid Cuomo's Controversial Remarks

Sat Oct 25 2025 17:21:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the wake of increasing attacks from Andrew Cuomo and his supporters, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani vows to embrace his Muslim faith and stand against racism and Islamophobia.

Democratic nominee for NYC mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has pledged to fully embrace his Muslim identity while responding to controversial remarks made by Andrew Cuomo, which he deems racist. During a recent press conference outside a Bronx mosque, Mamdani shared personal stories of Islamophobia and pledged to advocate for Muslim New Yorkers. Despite criticisms from Cuomo, who dismissed the prevalence of Islamophobia in New York, Mamdani expressed his resolve to combat discrimination and promote equality.

NEW YORK (AP) — Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, pledged Friday to further embrace his Muslim identity in response to growing attacks by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his surrogates that he characterized as 'racist and baseless.'

Encircled by faith leaders outside a Bronx mosque, Mamdani spoke in emotional terms about the 'indignities' long faced by the city’s Muslim population, choking back tears as he described his aunt’s decision not to ride the subway after the Sept. 11 attacks because she didn’t feel safe being seen in 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 so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught,” Mamdani said. “And over these last few days, these lessons have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and Eric Adams.”

At a news conference later, Cuomo accused Mamdani of 'playing the victim' for political purposes and denied that Islamophobia existed on a wide scale in New York.

Throughout the race, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has faced criticism from Cuomo and others over his comments regarding Israel’s government, which he has accused of committing atrocities against Palestinians.

But the tone of those attacks has intensified in recent days, leading some Democrats to accuse Cuomo’s campaign of resorting to Islamophobia.

In a controversial radio appearance, Cuomo laughed at a host's comment insinuating that Mamdani would support a new 9/11 attack. This moment, among others, has drawn sharp backlash.

Mamdani's response during his announcement highlighted the ongoing issues of discrimination that Muslims face in New York City, reaffirming his commitment to represent and uplift Muslim voices in the political arena. 'No more,' he declared, aiming to reject the notion that Muslims should demand less.