Political Tensions Rise Over Islamophobia Claims in NYC Mayoral Race
In a recent political clash, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance took aim at New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over his remarks regarding Islamophobia following the September 11 attacks. Vance criticized Mamdani for expressing sympathy towards Muslims while seemingly overlooking the tragedy endured by Americans during the attacks.
Mamdani shared a personal story during a press conference at the Islamic Cultural Center in the Bronx, recounting how his “aunt” felt unsafe using the subway after 9/11 due to fear of discrimination while wearing a hijab. He aimed to highlight the fear experienced by many Muslim Americans in the aftermath of the attacks.
“I want to speak for my aunt, who decided to stop using the subway because she didn’t feel safe wearing her hijab after 9/11,” Mamdani stated. “She was subjected to stares and whispered comments.”
In response, Vice President Vance took to social media, questioning the sincerity of Mamdani’s claims. He remarked, “For Zohran, the true victim of 9/11 appears to be his aunt, who allegedly received unkind looks.” This comment gained traction online, sparking a wider debate.
However, reports quickly emerged suggesting that Mamdani may have embellished his story. The New York Post revealed that the woman Mamdani referred to was actually a second cousin of his father, who didn’t reside in New York during the attacks and did not wear a hijab as described.
Mamdani’s only direct aunt lived in Tanzania during the crucial events, further raising eyebrows about the accuracy of his narrative. Despite the backlash, Mamdani countered the Vice President’s criticism by accusing him of belittling real experiences of Islamophobia. He insisted that his community deserved compassion rather than mockery.
“This is what the Republican Party has come to: cheap jokes instead of acknowledging real issues,” Mamdani asserted. He defended his remarks by clarifying, “I was speaking about Zehra Fuhi, my father’s cousin, who passed away a few years ago.”
Critics continue to question Mamdani’s trustworthiness, suggesting that he is manipulating narratives for political gain. Still, his far-left supporters maintain that the core message regarding anti-Muslim sentiment holds importance, even if the details of his story are in question.
Despite the controversy, Mamdani’s campaign shows no signs of backing down, with representatives vowing to keep discussing Islamophobia as part of the post-9/11 American experience. “We will continue to raise awareness on this issue that affects many,” said a campaign spokesperson.
