Mamdani leaned into his faith during Ramadan — and faced tests along the way

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first Ramadan in City Hall has put his Muslim identity at the center of New York politics — deepening his connection with supporters while fueling a wave of backlash from critics on the right.

“Skip to Main Content Mamdani leaned into his faith during Ramadan — and faced tests along the way New York City’s first Muslim mayor held regular iftars, weathered faith-based attacks and responded to an ISIS-inspired bombing attempt”

POLITICO

Over the past month, Mamdani has embraced a highly visible public role during the holy month, attending at least 17 iftars across the five boroughs to break the fast that millions of Muslims around the world observe.

He held a private dinner with activist Mahmoud Khalil and his family at Gracie Mansion, attended nightly prayers at mosques around the city and concluded his month-long religious observance with an Eid al-Fitr prayer Friday morning in Brooklyn.

Yet the last 30 days have been fraught for the mayor, marred with controversies and threats that thrust his religious identity into the center of public discourse.

Since mid-February, Mamdani has been faced with an ISIS-inspired attack outside Gracie Mansion, backlash over it.

“Skip to Main Content Mamdani leaned into his faith during Ramadan — and faced tests along the way New York City’s first Muslim mayor held regular iftars, weathered faith-based attacks and responded to an ISIS-inspired bombing attempt”

POLITICO

“Muslim bigotry is nothing new to me, nor is it anything new for the one million or so Muslim New Yorkers who know this city as our home,” Mamdani said at the time.

“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.”

Radio host Sid Rosenberg apologized after calling Mamdani a “Radical Islam cockroach” and a “jihadist,” remarks that drew widespread condemnation.

Councilmember Paladino faced disciplinary action for her remarks on social media, including her assertion that the city was under “foreign occupation” after Mamdani appointed Faiza Ali as his chief immigration officer.

The City Council’s Standards and Ethics Committee voted to find Paladino in violation of the council’s anti-discrimination policy, which she claims violates her First Amendment rights.

Paladino filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court to block the upcoming hearing.

The mayor continued to speak about Gaza this past month.

“Skip to Main Content Mamdani leaned into his faith during Ramadan — and faced tests along the way New York City’s first Muslim mayor held regular iftars, weathered faith-based attacks and responded to an ISIS-inspired bombing attempt”

POLITICO

On St. Patrick’s Day, highlighting Ireland’s “support of Palestinian freedom,” he appeared alongside former Irish President Mary Robinson and drew both praise and criticism for using the holiday to focus on the conflict in the Middle East.

Assemblymember Ari Brown, a Republican and frequent critic of Mamdani, interpreted the decision as an attack against Jews.

“He could not resist turning a distinctly Irish moment into another platform for his ideological messaging,” Brown said.

The past month, though, hasn’t reflected a change in Mamdani’s religious practice, but instead a decision to make it more visible.

During Ramadan, Muslims break their daily fast with an evening prayer and the iftar meal, which is served at sunset.

For Mamdani, these gatherings took on the appearance of both personal observance and political strategy.

“Skip to Main Content Mamdani leaned into his faith during Ramadan — and faced tests along the way New York City’s first Muslim mayor held regular iftars, weathered faith-based attacks and responded to an ISIS-inspired bombing attempt”

POLITICO

“The Mayor wanted to model something different, that faith can be a source of strength, connection, and service,” a spokesperson from the mayor’s office said in a statement to POLITICO.

“And if, in doing so, more people feel seen — that’s a powerful and welcome outcome.”

The mayor’s wife Rama Duwaji provided an illustration for a book co-edited by Abulhawa, who has described Jews as “vermin” and “vampires,” and Mamdani distanced himself and his wife from the author and denounced her past statements as “reprehensible.”

During his mayoral campaign last year, Mamdani rejected pressure to downplay his faith, calling out opponents like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former Mayor Eric Adams for fear-mongering.

With that in mind, Hanif said Mamdani’s public-facing approach to his faith can create a new foundation for Muslims to engage in politics.