9:26Democratic mayoral contender for New York City, Zohran Mamdani, delivers remarks at the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx mosque in New York, Oct. 24, 2025.Ted Shaffrey/AP
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral candidate for New York City, became emotional on Friday as he countered what he described as anti-Islamic remarks utilized to target his campaign.
The state legislator, who could potentially become the city’s first Muslim mayor if victorious, gathered with Muslim organizations at a mosque in the Bronx to voice his opposition to contentious declarations made by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams – comments he asserted were focused on his Muslim beliefs, containing poorly disguised allusions to Sept. 11 and Islamic radicalism.
New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani pauses as he discusses Islamophobia outside the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx in New York on Oct. 24, 2025.Timothy A.clary/AFP via Getty Images
Mamdani addressed the ordeals he stated that he and other Muslim individuals in New York have faced in dealing with prejudice.
"While growing up during the aftermath of 9/11, I learned the significance of living with an underlying feeling of distrust in this locale. I shall constantly recall the scorn I experienced. How my name could instantly transform into 'Mohammed' and how upon arriving back in my city, I was interrogated in a secluded room within the airport, questioned about whether I harbored any intentions of assaulting it," he expressed.
Cuomo, 67, had aimed a jab at the 34-year-old assemblyman during an interview featured Thursday morning on conservative radio alongside Sid Rosenberg.
"God forbid, another 9/11 — can you conceive of Mamdani occupying that position?" Cuomo stated.
"I could — he'd be celebrating," Rosenberg replied.
Cuomo responded, with what seemed to be a light chuckle, "Another issue."
Later in the day, he conveyed to journalists that he was making reference to Hasan Piker, an influencer whose campaign indicated he supported Mamdani and had remarked in 2019 that "America deserved 9/11." Piker subsequently stated that his remarks were unsuitable and intended as satire.
Mamdani made an appearance as a participant on Piker’s program, and denounced Piker’s 9/11 remarks as "despicable."
New York independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo appears with mayor Eric Adams in New York on Oct. 23, 2025.Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Adams, who withdrew from the election this month following his federal indictment on bribery accusations, also conveyed controversial opinions during his initial press conference alongside Cuomo, whom Adams endorsed, on Thursday.
Adams addressed "Islamic extremists … that are devastating communities in Germany, that have superseded rational thought."
"New York cannot transform into Europe, folks. I am unsure what ails people," he asserted.
Adams and Cuomo have both contended that Mamdani harbors antisemitic views owing to his statements dissenting from the Israeli government, referring to its strikes against Palestine as a "genocide." Mamdani has also refrained from affirming Israel’s existence as a Jewish state, despite having expressed backing for Israel’s entitlement to exist as a nation.
Mamdani has upheld his support for Jewish New Yorkers, committing to shield them from discrimination.
During his media briefing, he discussed what he portrayed as a broader issue of prejudice within the campaign.
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx mosque in New York on Oct. 24, 2025.Ted Shaffrey/AP
"The paramount query revolves around our willingness to forsake something notably more extensive than either of these two," he remarked in reference to Adams and Cuomo.
"Namely, whether we are ready to part with anti-Muslim animosity that has deeply pervaded our city to the extent that, upon hearing it, we can scarcely discern whether the utterances originated from a Republican or a Democrat – we are solely cognizant that it was articulated through the discourse and politics of this metropolis. Amidst an epoch of ever-dwindling bipartisanship, it appears that Islamophobia has surfaced as a domain of consensus," Mamdani proclaimed.
The assemblyman articulated that he would not expound further on his adversaries’ comments but instead "capitalize on this juncture to address the Muslims residing in New York City."
"The ramifications amidst this passivity are conspicuous. Exceeding 1 million Muslims within this city, coexisting while being induced to perceive themselves as strangers in their own abode. That ends now," he declared.
Subsequently that Friday, Cuomo responded to Mamdani with a news conference of his own, which included other Muslim community leaders.
The former governor contended that Mamdani himself is the factor of division, having, in fact, targeted New Yorkers himself.
"Now observe what he’s engaging in, which is the most archaic, most reprehensible political ploy in the playbook — dividing individuals," Cuomo stated.
"It will not prove effective. New Yorkers shall not permit you to sow discord among them. You can endeavor to drive in as many splits as you desire. It will not succeed. Do you recognize the identity of the individual employing that method? Donald Trump," he appended.
Cuomo reiterated his construal of the radio host’s remark on Thursday – that Mamdani would celebrate another 9/11 – as a jest, while acknowledging its offensive nature.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
