Democrat New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani expressed anguish over “Islamophobia” during a speech on Friday, commemorating his aunt’s perceived safety concerns after the September 11, 2001, attacks. The remarks came amid heightened scrutiny of Mamdani, who follows the extremist Twelver sect of Shia Islam and faces allegations of supporting radical ideologies.
Mamdani, who described himself as a “far-left” candidate, addressed what he called “racist, baseless” criticisms against him, linking them to broader societal prejudice. Speaking outside a Bronx mosque, he paid tribute to his aunt, claiming she avoided subway travel after 9/11 due to discomfort wearing her hijab. “I want to speak to the memory of my aunt who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab,” Mamdani stated, reportedly choking back tears.
The remarks drew criticism, with observers noting that the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 attacks were primarily New Yorkers, while Mamdani’s focus on his aunt’s “minor hardship” was seen as tone-deaf. His political rivals, including Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent former governor Andrew Cuomo, have accused him of harboring extremist ties, though Mamdani denied such claims.
Mamdani, an Ugandan immigrant who became a U.S. citizen in 2018, faces a November 4 mayoral election with early voting set to begin the following day. His campaign has emphasized religious tolerance, but his comments have intensified debates over his qualifications and worldview.
