Candidate for mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani defends his Muslim faith and his identity

ByMuhammad

In the midst of the race to become New York’s first Muslim mayor, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani spoke Friday in front of a mosque in the Bronx. He defended his identity and his faith after Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York State (2011-2021) who launched his bid for mayor this year, laughed at the idea that he could “applaud” a new attack during a radio show. Flanked by supporters, he recalled how Muslims have paid the price of suspicion since the September 11 attacks. “I will never change who I am,” he insisted, fully assuming his faith and his identity.

Candidate background Zohran Mamdani

At 34, Mamdani embodies a new political generation in New York. Born in Kampala, he grew up between South Africa and the United States in an intellectual and committed family: his father is a renowned academic and his mother a director. Arriving young in New York, he attended the Bronx High School of Science before studying African societies at a university in the northeast of the country. Before entering politics, he worked alongside families threatened with eviction, investing in affordable housing — a cause that became one of the pillars of his campaign. Elected to the State Assembly in 2020 in Queens, Mamdani became known as a progressive elected official, committed to minorities and public services. His candidacy for mayor marks his ambition to place social justice at the heart of New York policies.

Faith, identity and politics: a heated debate

Faced with the dynamics of Zohran Mamdani, Cuomo multiplies the attacks, accusing him of dividing the city by emphasizing his positions on Gaza and Israel too much. A campaign video using AI, released and then deleted, even sought to associate its image with the crime, playing on Palestinian symbols. Less than two weeks before the vote, the battle is intensifying: religious themes, fear of “the other” and identity divides are coming to the forefront, far from classic municipal issues.

Refusing to give in to the controversy, Zohran Mamdani says he wants to speak directly to the Muslims who bring the city to life – teachers, police officers, social workers – and remind them that they are an integral part of the fabric of New York. He sees this election as “the last opportunity to show our dignity”, and to make a voice that is too often caricatured heard.

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Muhammad

Muhammad is a visionary thinker and passionate writer who has been contributing to Understanding Islam for several years.