Anti-Muslim rhetoric rises as Zohran Mamdani embraces his Muslim faith

Summary

Podcast Summary: Consider This from NPR

Episode: Anti-Muslim rhetoric rises as Zohran Mamdani embraces his Muslim faith
Air Date: March 17, 2026
Host: Mary Louise Kelly
Reporter: Brian Mann

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Overview

This episode examines the rising anti-Muslim rhetoric in American politics amid the increasing visibility of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Muslim faith. Reporting from NPR’s Brian Mann, the show details recent political attacks, public backlash, and the experiences of Mamdani and New York’s Muslim community, highlighting both growing intolerance and moments of solidarity during Ramadan.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mayor Mamdani's Historic Ramadan Observance

• [00:01] Mayor Zohran Mamdani made history by observing Ramadan with incarcerated men at Rikers Island, symbolizing inclusivity and solidarity.
  • “This is me just being a Muslim New Yorker. And I think there are some for whom that is a political act and there are a million or so of us here in this city for whom it is simply a day to day existence.” — Zohran Mamdani (02:03, repeated sentiment later)

Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Political Attacks

• [00:29] Republicans in Congress—including Senators and Representatives—have made inflammatory, anti-Muslim statements on social media, directly targeting both Mamdani and Muslim communities at large.
  • “No more Muslims immigrating to America.” — Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas (00:45)
  • “We need more Islamophobia, not less.” — Florida’s Randy Fine (00:49)
  • “Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie.” — Rep. Andy Ogles, Tennessee (00:55)
• Notably, these comments have not seen significant pushback from party leaders.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson defended concerns about the "imposition of Sharia law" instead of condemning these remarks (01:31).

Bringing Faith into Public Life

• [02:38] Mamdani uses his mayoral platform to normalize Islam within NYC’s cultural life, celebrating Ramadan publicly and inclusively:
  • "It is not every day that we see in one room the sheer breadth of Muslim life in New York City." — Zohran Mamdani (03:14)
  • His iftar at the Museum of the City of New York assembled a wide cross-section of the city’s Muslims and allies.

Backlash and Bigotry

• [03:58] Mamdani’s visibility prompted open hostility:
  • Senator Tuberville shared an image of Mamdani at iftar next to a photo of the 9/11 attacks captioned "the enemy is inside the gates."
  • Talk show host Sid Rosenberg called Mamdani a "cockroach" and accused him of anti-Semitism—apologizing for the language but doubling down on his portrayal of Mamdani as "dangerous."
  • “To be called animals, insects, to be called a jihadist, mayor, to be called a cockroach. This language is both painfully familiar to me as a Muslim New Yorker, but also as someone who was born in East Africa.” — Zohran Mamdani (05:01)

Escalation and Violence

• [05:16] Protests outside Mamdani’s residence by far right activists led to clashes and an attempted bombing (no injuries, arrests made).
  • “While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen. Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred.” — Zohran Mamdani (06:19)

Wider Climate of Suspicion

• [06:29] Attacks have intensified following acts of violence linked—by some politicians and media outlets—to Muslims, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
  • Khalid Latif, NYC Imam: “You actually don’t lose rights by ensuring someone else has more rights. That’s just not how it works. But the ability to mobilize people through fear has been a proven strategy.” (07:02)

Faith, Belonging, and Solidarity

• [07:37] Mamdani continues high-profile public Ramadan observances, such as the Rikers Island iftar, emphasizing support for marginalized Muslims:
  • “This is one of the most meaningful evenings that I’ve had as the mayor of New York City.” — Zohran Mamdani (07:53)
  • Inmates: “He cares about us even though we’re going through a rough time.” (08:30)
• For many, Mamdani’s outward faith signals a turning point for Muslim New Yorkers after years of marginalization.
  • Syed Adnad Bukhari: “We’re good people and we have nothing to hide. And I think Zahran being elected, he’s showing the positive side to everyone.” (09:00)

Balancing Leadership for All

• [09:44] Mamdani intentionally participates in other community rituals (St. Patrick’s Day, Catholic Mass) to underscore his role as mayor for all New Yorkers.

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Memorable Quotes

• Zohran Mamdani:

  • “This is me just being a Muslim New Yorker.” — [02:03, 08:03]
  • “For nearly as long as there has been in New York City, there have been Muslim New Yorkers, and yet for nearly, just as long, those with power and platform have sought to dehumanize us.” — [03:46]
  • “To be called animals, insects, to be called a jihadist, mayor, to be called a cockroach. This language is both painfully familiar to me as a Muslim New Yorker, but also as someone who was born in East Africa.” — [05:01]
  • “While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen. Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred.” — [06:19]
  • “It is together that we find ease. It is together that we do so in solidarity, and we find it in the city that is our home.” — [09:35]

• Khalid Latif:

  • “The ability to mobilize people through fear has been a proven strategy.” — [07:14]
  • “You and I can be at an iftar dinner together and you don't have to share faith with me and we can just both sit and eat.” — [07:30]

• Anonymous Rikers Inmate:

  • “He cares about us even though we’re going through a rough time.” — [08:30]

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Notable Segment Timestamps

• 00:01–01:31: Setting the stage—historic Ramadan observance, political backlash
• 02:38–03:46: Iftar in Harlem, celebration and defiance
• 03:58–05:16: Escalation of attacks, responses from Mamdani
• 05:16–06:29: Far-right protest, failed bombing, Mayor’s remarks on free speech
• 07:02–07:37: Imam Khalid Latif on mobilization by fear and communal iftar
• 07:37–08:42: Rikers Island iftar, voices from incarcerated Muslims
• 09:00–09:44: Community reactions, balancing multiple identities as mayor

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Conclusion

The episode encapsulates the heightened visibility—and vulnerability—of Muslims in public life, using Mayor Mamdani's experiences as a focal point. While anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence have escalated, Mamdani’s leadership and public embrace of his faith are seen by many as milestones in the ongoing journey for acceptance and pluralism in America’s largest city. Through ritual, resilience, and solidarity, New York’s Muslims find both challenge and hope in this pivotal national moment.

Transcript

[Mary Louise Kelly]

History was made in New York on Monday night. For the first time, a Muslim mayor observed Ramadan with men incarcerated at Rikers Island. They knelt to pray and then the men spent an hour talking and breaking their fast with Mayor Zohran Mandani.

[Zohran Mamdani]

This is me just being a Muslim New Yorker. And I think there are some for whom that is a political act and there are a million or so of us here in this city for whom it is simply a day to day

[Mary Louise Kelly]

existence, a day to day existence that is increasingly being attacked as congressional Republicans engage in anti Muslim rhetoric. Last week, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville posted a photo on X of Mamdani breaking the fast next to an image of the 911 terror attacks post Mamdani described as bigoted. Congressman Brandon Gill of Texas wrote on social media, no more Muslims immigrating to America. From Florida's Randy Fine posted on X, we need more Islamophobia, not less Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia, no more Islamic immigration. Denaturalized deport repeat. And Andy Ogles, a Republican House member from Tennessee, posted, Muslims don't belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie. But unlike in past political eras, these comments have faced little pushback from Republican leaders. Here's what House Speaker Mike Johnson had to say. This tweet from Ogles.

[Brian Mann]

There's a lot of energy in the country and a lot of popular sentiment that the demand to impose Sharia law in America is a serious problem. That's what animates this.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Consider this New York Mayor Mamdani has brought his Muslim faith to the center of his political life, but his effort has faced a backlash. From npr. Mary I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

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[Mary Louise Kelly]

It's consider this from npr. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani has been using his office to bring his faith, Islam, into the center of his city's cultural life in a way we haven't seen before. During this Ramadan, he has hosted half a dozen public prayers and celebrations. NPR's Brian Mann reports.

[Brian Mann]

Just before sunset that a big festive crowd gathers in the Museum of the City of New York in Harlem. They've come to share iftar, the traditional dinner that marks the end of each day of Ramadan fasting, hosted on this night by Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who stands to speak.

[Zohran Mamdani]

It is not every day that we see in one room the sheer breadth of Muslim life in New York City. And I will say it once more. Ramadan Mubarak, my friends.

[Brian Mann]

As a musician plays, people break the fast with dates, then pass platters of food. With his trademark grin, Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of America's biggest city, goes table to table. It's a celebration of the roughly 1 million Muslims who live here. But during his speech, Mamdani also describes this gathering as an act of defiance.

[Zohran Mamdani]

For nearly as long as there has been in New York City, there have been Muslim New Yorkers, and yet for nearly, just as long, those with power and platform have sought to dehumanize us.

[Brian Mann]

He was responding to Alabama's Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who'd reposted earlier that day an image of Mandani celebrating one of these public iftars next to an image of the 911 terror attacks with the words the enemy is inside the gates. NPR reached out to Tuberville's office for comment. They didn't respond. Speaking to the crowd in Harlem, Mamdani described Tuberville's post as bigotry and when

[Zohran Mamdani]

I hear such hatred and disdain unchecked in its rancor, I feel an isolation and a loneliness that I know that many of you have felt as well.

[Brian Mann]

These attacks on Mamdani from the right began last year during his rapid ascent as the country's most influential Muslim politician. And Tuberville's post isn't the only attack Mamdani's faced. During Ramadan, after Mamdani criticized President Trump's decision to launch a war against Iran, one of New York City's most influential talk radio hosts, Sid Rosenberg, blasted Mamdani on social media, calling the mayor a cockroach and accusing him of hating Jews. Mamdani described Rosenberg's post as racist, to

[Zohran Mamdani]

be called animals, insects, to be called a jihadist, mayor, to be called a cockroach. This language is both painfully familiar to me as a Muslim New Yorker, but also as someone who was born in East Africa.

[Brian Mann]

Rosenberg offered a partial apology on his radio show, saying he regretted calling Mamdani names. Then he doubled down, describing Mamdani as dangerous and I think his policies should scare the living daylights out of any decent New Yorker. Tensions escalated again a few days later on March 7, when a small group of far right activists gathered outside Mamdani's official residence in Manhattan calling for an end to what they described as the Islamic takeover of New York City. Counter protesters turned up. There were clashes and two Muslim men from Pennsylvania allegedly threw improvised explosive devices. This from ABC News.

[Zohran Mamdani]

The alarming scene here in New York City. The official home of Mayor Zoran Mamdani. Two suspects allegedly trying to detonate homemade bombs right during a protest.

[Brian Mann]

FBI officials say the attack was inspired by isis. The devices failed to detonate. There were no injuries and the men were arrested and are awaiting trial. At a press conference, Mamdani spoke carefully, condemning the anti Muslim rally and the attempted violence.

[Zohran Mamdani]

While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen. Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred.

[Brian Mann]

Far right bigotry against Muslim Americans isn't new, but it's intensified in recent weeks after other violent attacks in Michigan and Virginia allegedly perpetrated by Muslims, which are also being investigated as acts of terrorism, one targeting a synagogue. Tennessee Republican Congressman Andy Ogles posted on X that Muslims, quote, don't belong in American society. Khalid Latif, one of New York's most influential imams, thinks efforts, efforts to blame all Muslims for these attacks are well organized and often effective.

[Khalid Latif]

You actually don't lose rights by ensuring someone else has more rights. That's just not how it works. But the ability to mobilize people through fear has been a proven strategy.

[Brian Mann]

NPR met with Lateef at his Islamic center of New York City, where volunteers were preparing an evening iftar meal of chicken and rice and dates with the entire community invited to join. Lateef says these gatherings offer a chance to set aside differences.

[Khalid Latif]

You and I can be at an iftar dinner together and you don't have to share faith with me and we can just both sit and eat.

[Brian Mann]

Mamdani has continued to hold his high profile iftar dinners, the latest at Rikers island, the city's massive jail complex where he prayed last night and broke his fast with Muslim men behind bars.

[Zohran Mamdani]

This is one of the most meaningful evenings that I've had as the mayor of New York City.

[Brian Mann]

Does it send any kind of message or is it strictly a moment of worship and community?

[Zohran Mamdani]

This is me just being a Muslim New Yorker. There are some for whom that is a political act as much as there have been attempts to caricature what it means to be Muslim in this city. We can see in this room so many different ways to be Muslim.

[Brian Mann]

Jail officials allowed NPR to speak with men who prayed and ate with Mamdani on the condition that we not use their names. They described the mayor as a Muslim brother.

[Zohran Mamdani]

I'm ecstatic. He cares about us even though we're going through a rough time.

[Brian Mann]

It's a proud thing to not be looked down upon, especially we have someone

[Zohran Mamdani]

as powerful as the mayor here.

[Brian Mann]

That's a blessing. Other Muslim New York have told NPR they see Mamdani's public observance of Ramadan as a pivot point for their community, a moment after years of stigma and suspicion when they feel welcome in a new way. Syed Adnad Bukhari is a city worker who joined Mamdani's IFTAR in Harlem.

[Zohran Mamdani]

You know, we're good people and we have nothing to hide. And I think Zahran being elected, he's

[Brian Mann]

showing the positive side to everyone. Mamdani's been in office less than five, four months, and there are still deep tensions here. Verbal and social media attacks by the far right aren't going away. Mamdani faces suspicion among many Jewish leaders over his support for Palestinian rights and the war in Iran. And continued violence in Gaza, Israel and other parts of the Middle east are felt deeply in New York City. Through all of that, Mamdani says Muslim families will keep gathering because it is

[Zohran Mamdani]

together that we find ease. It is together that we do so in solidarity, and we find it in the city that is our home.

[Brian Mann]

Mamdani has been careful to show he's not only mayor of the city's Muslim community. Last night he observed Ramadan. Today he celebrated St Patrick's Day, joining the big parade here and attending a Catholic Mass. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

This episode was produced by Jason Fuller, Sarah Vintry and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Jason DeRose, Andrea de Leon, Daniel Burke and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's consider this from npr. I'm Mary Louise Kelly.

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