Muslim Voters Feel Pride and Fear, for Both Mamdani and Themselves

Watching Zohran Mamdani run for mayor of New York City has been an eye-opening experience for Sabah Munawar.

As a Muslim who grew up in the shadow of Sept. 11, Ms. Munawar said she was amazed that Mr. Mamdani seemed to be on the verge of becoming New York City’s mayor, and having done so while fully embracing his faith on the campaign trail.

But as Islamophobic sentiment about Mr. Mamdani has grown in reach and frequency, she has realized there is a dark side to his success.

“Some days I look at it and think, this feels worse, because back then so many people were in the shadows and scared and so they weren’t visible,” Ms. Munawar, a project manager, said during an interview at MAS Youth Center in Bath Beach, Brooklyn. “And now people are saying, ‘we are here,’ and the vitriol is worse.”



https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/nyregion/muslim-voters-mamdani.html