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Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani recounted the challenges faced by New York’s Muslim community during a recent campaign event outside a Bronx mosque. Speaking to local leaders, Mamdani shared how his aunt stopped taking the subway after the 9/11 attacks because she “did not feel safe in her hijab.” He also revealed that he had been advised to downplay his faith upon entering politics. “These are lessons that so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught,” he said, highlighting systemic pressures and subtle discrimination over the years. Mamdani’s remarks come amid a tense mayoral race in New York, where he faces Republican Curtis Sliwa and Independent Andrew Cuomo. Both opponents, along with outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, have recently made statements targeting Mamdani’s faith. Cuomo reportedly laughed along with a conservative radio host’s suggestion that Mamdani would “be cheering” another 9/11 attack, though a spokesperson later denied agreement with the comment. Adams warned, “New York can’t be Europe…because of Islamic extremism,” while Sliwa accused Mamdani of supporting “global jihad.” Many Democrats have accused these political attacks of veering into Islamophobia, diverting attention from policy debates. Vance replies In response to Mamdani’s story, US Vice President JD Vance posted a snarky comment, suggesting that according to Mamdani, the “real victim” of 9/11 was his aunt, who merely received some allegedly critical looks. According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks https://t.co/UGeKANSAH2— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 25, 2025 " rel="nofollow">http://According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks https://t.co/UGeKANSAH2— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 25, 2025 Despite the attacks, Mamdani reaffirmed his commitment to his faith and identity. “I will not change who I am, how I eat, for the faith that I’m proud to call my own,” he said. He added that while he initially tried to minimise his religious identity to avoid prejudice, he now intends to fully embrace it in public life. “I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light,” Mamdani declared, signalling a resolute stance on personal dignity and equality in the city’s political landscape.
