Muslim Congress Members Condemn Both Parties for ‘Vile, Anti-Muslim and Racist Smears’ in Response to Mamdani’s Win in NYC

(AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Several Muslim members of Congress published a statement Friday calling out their colleagues from both parties for “racist smears” directed at Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani’s apparent win in New York’s mayoral Democratic primary has proven to be quite controversial. The 33-year-old self-proclaimed democratic socialist has drawn criticism from members of both major parties for his progressive plans for the city.

Criticism of his policies, however, has seemingly taken a backseat to bigoted comments surrounding his Muslim faith. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), for example, has repeatedly referred to Mamdani as “little Muhammad” and has even called for his deportation; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) posted an AI-generated photo of the Statue of Liberty draped in a burqa; and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) claimed that Mamdani made “references” to a “global jihad.”

On Friday afternoon, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Andre Carson (D-IN), and Lateefah Simon (D-CA) released a joint statement condemning the recent comments:

The vile, anti-Muslim, and racist smears from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle attacking Zohran Mamdani cannot be met with silence.

These hateful, Islamophobic, and racist tropes have become so entrenched and normalized in our politics. We know these attacks all too well. At a time of increased violence against elected officials, we cannot allow the attacks on Zohran Mamdani to continue. They directly contribute to the ongoing dehumanization and violence against Muslim Americans. We unequivocally reject the normalization of anti-Muslim hate and fearmongering and call on elected leaders across our country to speak out.