Fri Oct 24 23:34:35 UTC 2025: Summary:
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, pledged to embrace his Muslim identity after facing what he calls “racist and baseless” attacks from opponents like former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Mayor Eric Adams, who are attempting to connect him to Islamic extremism. Mamdani, a progressive critic of Israel, says he initially tried to downplay his faith but realized he couldn’t and shouldn’t hide it. He reaffirmed his commitment to being treated equally as a Muslim New Yorker.
News Article:
New York Mayoral Candidate Vows to Embrace Muslim Identity Amidst Islamophobic Attacks
NEW YORK, October 25, 2025 (The Hindu) – Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, has vowed to openly embrace his Muslim identity in the face of escalating attacks he characterizes as “racist and baseless.” The attacks, primarily coming from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and even current Mayor Eric Adams, have attempted to paint Mamdani as having radical beliefs and implicitly connect him to Islamic extremism.
Speaking outside a Bronx mosque on Friday, Mamdani recounted the discrimination faced by Muslim New Yorkers. He expressed disappointment that he initially tried to downplay his faith in an attempt to avoid scrutiny.
“I thought that if I behaved well enough, or bit my tongue enough in the face of racist, baseless attacks…it would allow me to be more than just my faith,” Mamdani said. “I was wrong.”
The attacks have intensified in recent days, with Cuomo suggesting on a radio show that Mamdani would “be cheering” another 9/11 attack and Adams invoking the specter of terrorist attacks under a Mamdani administration, implying a link to Islamic extremism. Sliwa has falsely accused Mamdani of supporting “global jihad.”
Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, is a vocal critic of Israel and has accused the nation of committing genocide. This has drawn skepticism from some within the Democratic establishment. However, Mamdani received a crucial endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday.
“The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker,” Mamdani stated. “I will not change who I am…for the faith that I’m proud to call my own. I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light.”
The mayoral election is shaping up to be a contentious one, with accusations of Islamophobia taking center stage in the final stretch.
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