A New Era of Islamophobia? The Rise of Zohran Mamdani and a "Sleeping Giant"
The New York City mayoral election has taken an ominous turn as incumbent candidate Andrew Cuomo's campaign has become increasingly marred by blatant Islamophobia, prompting questions about whether this could awaken the "sleeping giant" of Muslim New Yorkers.
Cuomo, who lost to Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary but continued running as an independent candidate, has been accused of tacitly endorsing anti-Muslim rhetoric, including a radio host's suggestion that Mamdani would be "cheering" if there were another 9/11-style terrorist attack on New York. Cuomo's response was to chuckle and say, "That's another problem," while also dismissing Mamdani's dual citizenship as an issue.
Mamdani has taken a strong stance against Islamophobia, emphasizing that his campaign is about serving the people of New York City, not his own personal identity. In a recent speech, he said, "To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity," drawing parallels with his own experiences as a target of a national smear campaign after founding a Muslim school.
The backlash against Mamdani has been overwhelming, with many Muslims feeling targeted and fearful for their safety. However, there has also been a surge in young people from the Muslim community becoming involved in politics, including phone banking, door-knocking, and voter registration drives.
According to Debbie Almontaser, a senior adviser at Emgage, a nonprofit focused on organizing Muslim Americans, the attacks on Mamdani have taken Islamophobia "to another level." She noted that while she has not been surprised by the hate, what is surprising is how blatant it has become. The campaign has sparked a sense of hope among Muslims and South Asians in New York, who feel that their community is finally being recognized and valued.
In contrast to his predecessor, Cuomo's attitude towards Muslim voters seems to be shifting. At Emgage events, leaders from across the state have spoken about Cuomo's lack of respect for American Muslims during his tenure as governor, including never visiting a mosque and rarely engaging with Muslim leaders.
As the election nears, many believe that the "sleeping giant" of Muslim New Yorkers is finally awakening. With Mamdani on the ballot, the community is becoming more engaged in politics, and voters are demanding to be heard. The question remains whether this newfound activism will translate into electoral success for Mamdani or whether Islamophobia will continue to hold back his campaign.
For now, the message from Muslim New Yorkers seems clear: they will no longer be ignored or marginalized by politicians who seek to exploit their faith and identity for electoral gain. As one woman on the subway was asked if she were Muslim, only to be beat up as a result of her response, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is not just an issue for Zohran Mamdani, but a matter of civil rights and dignity for all New Yorkers.
The New York City mayoral election has taken an ominous turn as incumbent candidate Andrew Cuomo's campaign has become increasingly marred by blatant Islamophobia, prompting questions about whether this could awaken the "sleeping giant" of Muslim New Yorkers.
Cuomo, who lost to Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary but continued running as an independent candidate, has been accused of tacitly endorsing anti-Muslim rhetoric, including a radio host's suggestion that Mamdani would be "cheering" if there were another 9/11-style terrorist attack on New York. Cuomo's response was to chuckle and say, "That's another problem," while also dismissing Mamdani's dual citizenship as an issue.
Mamdani has taken a strong stance against Islamophobia, emphasizing that his campaign is about serving the people of New York City, not his own personal identity. In a recent speech, he said, "To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity," drawing parallels with his own experiences as a target of a national smear campaign after founding a Muslim school.
The backlash against Mamdani has been overwhelming, with many Muslims feeling targeted and fearful for their safety. However, there has also been a surge in young people from the Muslim community becoming involved in politics, including phone banking, door-knocking, and voter registration drives.
According to Debbie Almontaser, a senior adviser at Emgage, a nonprofit focused on organizing Muslim Americans, the attacks on Mamdani have taken Islamophobia "to another level." She noted that while she has not been surprised by the hate, what is surprising is how blatant it has become. The campaign has sparked a sense of hope among Muslims and South Asians in New York, who feel that their community is finally being recognized and valued.
In contrast to his predecessor, Cuomo's attitude towards Muslim voters seems to be shifting. At Emgage events, leaders from across the state have spoken about Cuomo's lack of respect for American Muslims during his tenure as governor, including never visiting a mosque and rarely engaging with Muslim leaders.
As the election nears, many believe that the "sleeping giant" of Muslim New Yorkers is finally awakening. With Mamdani on the ballot, the community is becoming more engaged in politics, and voters are demanding to be heard. The question remains whether this newfound activism will translate into electoral success for Mamdani or whether Islamophobia will continue to hold back his campaign.
For now, the message from Muslim New Yorkers seems clear: they will no longer be ignored or marginalized by politicians who seek to exploit their faith and identity for electoral gain. As one woman on the subway was asked if she were Muslim, only to be beat up as a result of her response, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is not just an issue for Zohran Mamdani, but a matter of civil rights and dignity for all New Yorkers.
. Like, what kind of candidate thinks it's funny to laugh off someone suggesting another 9/11-style attack? 
It's not exactly subtle, either - if you ask me, that's just Islamophobia on steroids 
. And now Mamdani's running as the "other guy" and his message is finally getting through to some people: we're not going to be ignored or discriminated against 
.
. And Emgage's Debbie Almontaser is speaking truth - this isn't just about Mamdani; it's about all of us who deserve respect and dignity 
.
. The 'sleeping giant' is waking up, and I couldn't be happier 
.
this is super concerning. cuomo's behavior is so unacceptable 
. we need to start calling out politicians who are using fear-mongering tactics to win votes 
. and btw, how can we expect muslim americans to feel represented or valued when leaders like cuomo won't even visit a mosque? 
. We need more of that kind of activism and engagement if we're gonna create real change.
. Until they take a stand against hate groups and start supporting Muslim voters, this whole thing's just gonna keep escalating 
.
. The community's finally speaking out and demanding respect, and I'm all for it 
his campaign is literally perpetuating hate speech against muslims like who does that?! 
u know i've been following this story for ages and its getting so out of hand 
his message of unity and acceptance is just what this community needs right now 
this is so sad 
it's like he's fueling the fire 
and using Islamophobia as a tool to divide ppl 
instead of bringing them together 
Mamdani's stance is giving me hope 
we need politicians who respect all faiths & backgrounds 
I drew a simple diagram to illustrate the situation:
There are some rays of hope! Young people from the Muslim community are becoming involved in politics, and they're not afraid to speak up. They're demanding to be heard, and it's amazing to see them taking action.