In New York City, Washington Square Park has long been a gathering place for Muslim New Yorkers during the Eid holidays, reflecting the city’s rich tapestry of religious and ethnic diversity.
However, this year, the scene has attracted attention from right-wing influencers who are framing these gatherings as an unwelcomed “invasion,” linking them to Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim American candidate for mayor.
Asad Dandia, a local historian and activist supporting Mamdani’s campaign, expressed concern over the heightened Islamophobic rhetoric following the candidate’s win in the Democratic primaries.
He stated, “The fear-mongering is insane. I think the community and our leadership know we’re on the radar now.”
Advocates for Muslim Americans across the nation share Dandia’s sentiment, highlighting a troubling increase in Islamophobic comments and narratives after Mamdani’s recent electoral success.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” Dandia remarked, illustrating the persistent nature of bigotry.
The surge of Islamophobic commentary has not been confined to social media trolls; politicians have also jumped into the fray.
Congressman Randy Fine, without substantial evidence, suggested that if elected, Mamdani could establish a “caliphate” in New York City.
Adding to this, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene shared a cartoon depicting the Statue of Liberty wearing a burqa on X, further fueling anti-Muslim sentiment.
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has claimed that Islam represents a political ideology rather than a religion.
Additionally, Charlie Kirk and other right-wing figures have invoked memories of the 9/11 attacks, with Kirk labeling Mamdani a “Muslim Maoist,” while Angie Wong of CNN echoed concerns about safety under a potentially Muslim mayor.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer, closely associated with Trump, labeled Mamdani a “jihadist Muslim,” making unfounded claims linking him to Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Republican Representative Andy Ogles escalated matters by sending a letter to the Department of Justice, calling for the revocation of Mamdani’s citizenship and his deportation.
Congressman Brandon Gill took to social media to mock Mamdani for eating biryani with his hands, suggesting a need for him to “go back to the Third World.”
In reaction to these attacks, New York City Council member Shahana Hanif drew parallels to the post-9/11 era, recollecting her childhood experiences with bigotry.
Hanif, who easily won re-election, expressed that the Islamophobic rhetoric geared towards Mamdani is intended to divert attention from the progressive momentum that led to his primary victory.
She stated, “Islamophobic comments should be condemned across the political spectrum. There is so much more work to do to undo racism in the US.”
While several Democrats have spoken against the vitriolic campaign targeting Mamdani, prominent figures within the party, particularly those in New York, have yet to issue formal statements.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen condemned the outpouring of anti-Muslim comments post-Mamdani’s nomination, stating, “Shame on the members of Congress who have engaged in such bigotry and anyone who doesn’t challenge it.”
On the other side, Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand faced criticism for her comments about Mamdani, mistakenly accusing him of making references to “global jihad.”
Gillibrand later clarified that she felt she had misspoken and was attempting to articulate concerns over Mamdani’s stance on the phrase “globalize the intifada,” linked to activism for Palestinian rights.
The aftermath of Mamdani’s election has underscored the intersection of his Muslim identity with the sustained pushback against his progressive campaign.
Indeed, while Trump and his advocates previously sought to attract Muslim voters, the GOP has seen a resurgence of Islamophobic rhetoric correlating with Mamdani’s visibility.
Corey Saylor, the research and advocacy director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, pointed out that Islamophobia has cyclical tendencies in American society.
He articulated, “Islamophobia is sort of baked into American society. It wasn’t front and centre, but all it required was something to flip the switch right back on, and I would say we’re seeing that once again.”
The portrayal of Arabs and Muslims in American media and political discourse has consistently reflected negative stereotypes and heightened fear.
Such trends intensified following the 9/11 attacks, resulting in unfounded claims about Islamic law attempting to infiltrate Western governance.
For years, anti-Muslim groups and provocateurs have utilized a network designed to propagate fear regarding Islam and its followers.
This rhetoric has consistently entered mainstream political dialogue, with Donald Trump calling for a complete halt on Muslim immigration to the U.S.
Following the 9/11 tragedy, the NYPD controversially established surveillance programs targeting Muslim communities, which were dismantled in 2014 after widespread condemnation and a legal settlement that acknowledged the need for oversight in such operations.
The controversy surrounding a proposed community center near the site of the attacks in 2010 is another example of the backlash faced by the Muslim community in New York City.
Despite widespread opposition, including from some Democratic leaders, the project was ultimately abandoned.
Now, as Muslim New Yorkers navigate another wave of Islamophobia, there’s a sense of resilience and solidarity within the community.
Dandia emphasized this adaptive strength, noting, “We feel more confident in our community’s voice and our institutional power and in the support that we will have from allies.”
He asserted that the recent electoral mobilization represents a significant achievement, stating, “Yes, we’re dealing with this Islamophobic backlash, but I don’t want to make it seem like we’re just victims because we are able to now fight back.”
This feeling of empowerment was echoed by Hanif, who remarked on the coalitions built among various communities over the past 25 years.
She stated, “We are above this and we will care for one another,” suggesting a collective defense against the tides of anti-Muslim sentiment.
image source from：aljazeera
