Latest news with #anti-Muslim
Middle East Eye
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Zohran Mamdani faces racist smears and calls for citizenship to be stripped
Zohran Mamdani is facing a barrage of racist attacks this week and a call by a Republican lawmaker for him to be stripped of his citizenship after his 24 June victory in the New York City primary election for mayor. The pro-Palestinian Democratic Socialist won the Democratic nomination for mayor with a clear majority after 93 percent of the votes were counted. Before his victory, he faced racist attacks from New York City councilwoman Vickie Paladino and Congressman Randy Fine, both from the Republican party, while after the win, Republican Andy Ogles called for Mamdani to be deported and denaturalised. In a post on X on 26 June, Ogles said: "Zohran 'little muhammad' Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York. He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings.' Ogles also attached a letter to attorney general Pam Bondi, accusing Mamdani of procuring his citizenship through 'willful mirepresentation or concealment of material support for terrorism'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The comments drew condemnation from several of Ogle's colleagues, including Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar and the House Homeland Security Committee Democrats, as well as Muslim American members of Congress. 'This type of racism has no place in America,' Thanedar said in a post on X on 26 June. 'This type of racism has no place in America. Immigrants make our country great, and I strongly condemn this blatant, anti-immigrant bigotry from Andy Ogles'. The House Homeland Security Committee Democrats referred to his comments in a 26 June post on X as 'Racist drivel.' Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib on Friday posted a statement on X from Muslim American members of Congress condemning Ogle's "anti-Muslim" attacks. "The vile, anti-Muslim and racists smears from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle attacking Zohran Mamdani cannot be met with silence," the statement read. The statement was signed on to by Tlaib, Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Lateefah Simon, and Congressman Andre Carson. Corey Saylor, research and advocacy director at the civil rights and advocacy organisation Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) told Middle East Eye that the attacks on Mamdani were part of an entrenched decades-long perspective on Muslims: 'The anti-Muslim bigotry that has erupted online in the wake of New York City's Democratic mayoral primary is as dishonest as it is dangerous." Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani fends off hate as he inspires New Yorkers Read More » He added that it was 'nothing new' to the American-Muslim community. 'The politicians, influencers and hate groups unleashing a wave of irrational Islamophobic talking points are weaponising the same tactics that have been used for decades to manipulate Americans into fearing any Muslims engaged in political life,' he added. 'Islamophobia is the last widely accepted form of bigotry in American political life, and this must change before it leads to more discrimination and threats of violence against American Muslims pursuing public office". But it wasn't just lawmakers who have been targeting Mamdani since his victory. Stephen Miller, the White House assistant chief of staff, who is frequently referred to as the architect behind Trump's immigration policies, alluded to Mamdani in a post on X on 25 June, saying that 'NYC is the clearest warning yet of what happens to a society when it fails to control migration'. Miller himself is the grandson of a Jewish immigrant who fled religious persecution from modern-day Belarus to the United States. Prior to his election success, Mamdani had already been the target of a smear campaign that painted him as an antisemite, funded to the tune of $25m by a Super PAC called "Fix the City". He even faced death threats, with his office receiving voicemails including a threat to blow up his car. Mamdani teared up when speaking of the impact of such attacks during his campaign, saying he had received a message saying, 'The only good Muslim is a dead Muslim'. Mamdani is an Indian-origin Muslim who moved from Uganda to New York City when he was seven years old and became a naturalised citizen in 2018.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Let's stand with Zohran': Bernie Sanders, Muslim members of Congress call out racist attacks against Mamdani
Muslim members of Congress called out the anti-Muslim, racist attacks on Zohran Mamdani. Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and other Muslim American members of Congress extended support for Zohran Mamdani as he came under a vicious attack after emerging as the winner of the Democratic primary of the New York mayor election after Andrew Cuomo conceded the election. Mamdani has been called 'little Muhammad', 'snake oil salesman' as the Republicans called for his deportation. Apart from the Muslim American members of Congress, Bernie Sanders issued a statement of support for Mamdani. "The vile, anti-Muslim, and racist smears from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle attacking Zohran Mamdani cannot be met with silence," the statement issued by Tlaib, Omar, Andre Carson and Lateefah Simon read. "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," the statement read. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Bernie Sanders said the establishment went into panic after Mandani won. "Billionaires are raising money against him; Trump is ranting; Islamophobes are on the loose. They know what we know: Candidates who stand boldly with the working class can win not only in NYC, but anywhere. Let's stand with Zohran," Bernie Sanders said. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon threatened to investigate Zohran Mamdani over his proposal to tax 'whiter neighborhoods' in NYC if he becomes the mayor. 'Racial discrimination is illegal in the United States – period. Full stop! The illegal discriminatory scheme described by Mamdani would violate federal constitutional and statutory norms, and might even violate New York law," Dhillon said on the Benny Johnson show. NYC elites hatch 'Stop Mamdani' plan New York City business owners met with incumbent mayor Eric Adams to hatch a plot to stop Mamdani's rise. The plan was around Adams becoming an independent mayor candidate and not a Democrat. Several business owners expressed concern about Mamdani's policy platform, especially his tax policies, and how they could impact their businesses going forward. Whitney Tilson, a former hedge fund manager, told the NYT that Mamdani is a "Trojan Horse" who is 'totally unqualified to be mayor of one of the world's largest, most complex cities. "
United News of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar assured Sarang to seek explanation from MLA Jagtap
Mumbai, June 27 (UNI) Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has assured Party vice president Salim Sarang that he will seek an explanation from his Party MLA Sangram Jagtap over the latter's alleged controversial remarks on the Muslim community. Sarang also strongly condemned the controversial statement allegedly made by MLA Jagtap which was perceived as anti-Muslim. Sarang demanded strict action against MLA Jagtap from the party leadership. Sarang said here today through a release that his firm and clear stance has now been taken seriously by NCP's National President, Ajit Pawar, who has assured that he will seek an explanation from Sangram Jagtap regarding the matter. Responding to questions from the media, Ajit Pawar said, 'The Nationalist Congress Party follows the secular ideology of Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and Dr. Ambedkar,' said Sarang in release. 'Speaking against any religion is against our core values. I will personally ask Sangram Jagtap what exactly he said and why' assured Deputy CM to Sarang. This statement by Ajit Pawar makes it clear that Sarang's demand is being taken seriously at the highest levels of the party. As a result of his bold and principled position, Sarang has received widespread appreciation and congratulations from members of the Muslim community, the release claimed. UNI SP RKM
Politico
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Politico
Muslim Democrats ask leaders to denounce Islamophobic attacks on Zohran Mamdani
All four Muslim Democratic House members are denouncing 'racist smears' against Zohran Mamdani from lawmakers in both parties since his New York City mayoral primary win, according to a statement provided first to POLITICO. '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,' said Reps. Andre Carson of Indiana, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Lateefah Simon of California in a statement. The lawmakers said that 'at a time when we are facing increased violence against elected officials, we cannot allow the attacks on Zohran Mamdani to continue' and asked for elected leaders to speak out on them. Mamdani, who would become New York's first Muslim mayor, has faced attacks from GOP lawmakers after his primary win this week. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) tied him to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) called for him to be deported, among others. The left was also concerned about since-clarified comments from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) about Mamdani's rhetoric about Israel. Critics of the democratic socialist have called some of his comments about Israel, including his defense of the phrase 'globalize the intifada,' antisemitic, which he's denied. The Muslim lawmakers have sought a more forceful pushback from their leaders to the GOP attacks and have privately approached Democratic leadership about doing so. Speaker Mike Johnson didn't answer a question from a reporter Friday asking him to respond to the remarks from Mace, Ogles and others.
South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire mosque lease for former library confirmed
Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet agreed to grant a 30-year lease for the empty Abergavenny Library to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association in May but three backbench councillors forced a review using the council's call in process. Just two days before a scrutiny committee considered that request the grade II listed building, last used as a pupil referral unit after the library closed and transferred to the to the town hall in 2015, was targeted by Islamophobic vandalism. The decision had to come back to the Labour-led cabinet's Wednesday, June 25 meeting where leader Mary Ann Brocklesby reminded those present the call in 'asked us to review the decision made and does not have the authority to overturn the decision.' Councillor Ben Callard, who is responsible for resources including leases, addressed the seven points made by the scrutiny committee which sent the decision back to the cabinet, on the chair's casting vote, but said he wasn't convinced the tender process should be run again as the committee wanted. A photograph showing the anti-Muslim vandalism of the former Abergavenny Library. The Llanfoist and Govilon member said: 'I've reflected on them but at the moment I'm not minded to change the original decision. I think it was the correct one and Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association will be good tenants for this property.' Of those reasons Cllr Callard said the council hadn't set a target rent for the building, and doing so could have 'depressed' the price, and defended the four week timeframe for the tender process. He said a number of 'competitive' bids were received and he didn't agree the council should have got an independent survey of the building as the authority has the capacity to do so itself. He also dismissed the suggestion, he said made by a Conservative councillor, the library built and funded by Scottish-American philanthropists Andrew Carnegie should be sold. He said: 'I don't think it should be disposed of, it should remain in the council's ownership'. Conservative opposition leader Cllr Richard John claimed taxpayers would be 'subsidising' the mosque at the agreed rent of £500 a month, or £6,000 a year. He said a previous council budget paper suggested it could produce a rental of between £20-25,000 a year. Cllr Callard said: 'The tax payers of Monmouthshire will not be subsidising it. It was put out for a competitive tender and it returned the figures proposed by the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association, which was the highest submission.' From left, Cllrs Ben Callard, Mary Ann Brocklesby and Richard John. (Image: Monmouthshire County Council.) He added the lease is on a 'full repair' basis which will pass all maintenance responsibilities to the tenants and he described the building as having 'significant liabilities'. The lease was also described as a commercial deal and Cllr Callard said the Muslim association isn't benefiting from a rental agreement, which is a subsidy, that other community groups leasing council buildings enjoy. Cllr Callard also acknowledged it was an 'ambition' of the cabinet the local Muslim community should have a mosque but denied, under questioning from Cllr John, there was any 'done deal'. He also said independent councillor Simon Howarth was wrong to say the council had 'put' the mosque in the library as it offered the building through a tender process open to all. Concerns from residents over car parking in the area were also acknowledged at the meeting and Cllr Callard said the association has committed to using the three nearby public car parks. All seven members of the cabinet confirmed their support for the original decision when asked by Cllr Brocklesby who said the unanimous decision means the lease will be offered to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association. During the meeting Cllr Callard also acknowledged questioning over how the council should subject potential leases to scrutiny before decisions are made which he said requires further thought.
