Zohran Mamdani, the New York State Assembly Member who recently claimed victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, has been facing a surge of Islamophobic threats from prominent Republican figures and online activists.
On social media and in conservative media circles, Mamdani has been labelled a Jihadist terrorist, a Hamas sympathiser, and even linked to 9/11 attackers, reports The Guardian. Republican elected officials and right-wing media figures are accusing him of promoting Islamic law, supporting terrorism and posing a threat to the safety of New Yorkers, especially Jews. The New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, in a radio interview, referred to Mamdani as a known jihadist terrorist and called for his deportation despite his US citizenship. Far-right activist Laura Loomer warned that Mamdani's win would lead to another 9/11 in NYC.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed Mamdani's success as proof that the US is failing to control migration, and Representative Elise Stefanik sent fundraising emails branding Mamdani a terrorist sympathiser even before the race was officially called.
Donald Trump Jr, the eldest child of President Donald Trump, amplified a post reading, "I'm old enough to remember when New Yorkers endured 9/11 instead of voting for it," adding, "New York City has fallen."
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene posted an AI-generated image depicting the Statue of Liberty draped in a burqa. Meanwhile, Conservative Commentator Matt Walsh lamented that New York is no longer an American city, citing the fact that over 40 percent of its residents are foreign-born.
US President Donald Trump added fuel to the Islamophobic backlash on Wednesday, referring to Mamdani as a 100 percent Communist Lunatic and mocking his appearance and voice during a campaign rally. Despite notably steering clear of overt language about Mamdani's religion and ethnic background, he again called Senator Chuck Schumer a Palestinian as a slur.
To top it all, Mamdani has received multiple death threats in recent weeks, including voicemails referencing explosive devices and threats to blow up his car. The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incidents, said the Guardian report.
"I have received messages that say the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim,'' said Mamdani last week. Holding back tears, he added, "My focus has always been on making this a city that's affordable, a city that every New Yorker sees themselves in."
Speaking on MSNBC, Mamdani raised concerns about the attacks, "Many Muslims across this city have told me that they are being branded a terrorist just for living in public life. This is not the way our city should be."
Mamdani has consistently faced Islamophobic framing throughout his campaign, particularly regarding his views on Palestine. He was the only candidate who was repeatedly interrogated about Israel's "right to exist". Mamdani said he would remain in New York and that Israel should be a state of equal rights for all, in answer to the question of which foreign country the candidates would visit once they were mayor.
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